Gardaí have reunited stolen dog "Ruby" with her family in Midleton, Co. Cork after being tracked down in the UK following a a garda investigation and social media appeal.
Detectives began investigating after an appeal was made last summer via the Garda Southern Region Facebook page in an attempt to find her.
The post was viewed by nearly 100,000 people and was spotted by an eagle eyed lady in the UK.
The lady made contact after she had seen Ruby was up for sale on a website in the UK.
With the assistance of Somerset Police, Ruby was recovered and made the some 500km journey via Rosslare back to Midleton in time for Christmas.
Ruby's owners, Bernard and Liz Ahern said "We are absolutely thrilled to have Ruby back home. We are so grateful to the lady who spotted Ruby for sale, the Somerset Police, and our Gardaí here in Midleton."
Superintendent of the Midleton District, Adrian Gamble said: "We are delighted to have been a part of Ruby's safe return to her loving family and appeal to all pet owners to take all extra security precautions and ensure their pets are microchipped."
The investigation into the theft of Ruby is still being actively investigated.
