A PUPPY has been reunited with its family thanks to Good Samaritans who acted after reading the Echo.

Ellen and Adam Simon lost two of their six-week-old lurcher puppies last week.

On Saturday the Echo reported how the puppies, a male and a female, went missing from their home on Tamarisk Farm, West Bexington.

But later that day, a couple returned the male dog to the farm.

Mrs Simon said: “They turned up on Saturday, saying they had seen the article in the Echo, and handed him back.

“He is in good health and we’re all absolutely overjoyed to have him back.”

The couple said they found the dog on the coast road to the east of Portesham on Friday night.

They took him in, intending to call the dog warden the next morning but took him straight back to the farm when they recognised him from a photo in the Echo.

Mrs Simon said: “I do not believe he could have walked that far.

“It’s a long way for such a young dog.”

She added: “As this one has turned up safe and well, I’m hoping maybe someone will know where his sister is.”

The female puppy, who is still missing, is a soft brown colour, with traditional white collie markings on her chest, paws and tail.

Mrs Simon said she was ‘overwhelmed’ with how supportive people from her community had been when they heard about the loss.

Janet Jackson, Home Watch co-ordinator, sent out a notice to members in the area, others rallied to search the hedgerows and fields when the puppies first went missing, and children took posters round to houses.

Mrs Simon said: “I’m really looking forward to seeing the children’s reaction to having the puppy back.

“They love coming round to play with them.”

The two puppies were from a litter of four, and went missing on Wednesday when Mr and Mrs Simon came home to find the door open.

Jeanette Guy, head of public health at West Dorset District Council, said: “It is great news that one of the puppies has been returned to its owner.

“We are still keen to hear any information about the other puppy, who is still missing.

“If anyone has any information, please contact the district council on 01305 251010.

“If we receive reports of a stray dog or a dog matching the description of the lost female puppy, we will contact the owner directly.”