Stolen Yorkshire Terrier ‘Ellie’ returned to Ukrainian family in Streatham

A Yorkshire Terrier has been returned to a Ukrainian family in south London after it was stolen.

‘Ellie’ went missing from a house on Ellison Road in Streatham on Sunday morning and the family reported it to the Metropolitan Police that afternoon.

The family had recently arrived in the UK from Ukraine, the Met Police said.

Officers began to investigate and following witnesses, CCTV and vehicle enquiries, Ellie was found at an address in Surrey “safe and well”.

“She has since been returned to her family,” the Met Police said.

“They were kept informed at every stage of the investigation.”

The investigation into the theft of the dog remains ongoing. There have been no arrests at this stage.

The Yorkshire Terrier is one of the smallest dog breeds. It developed during the 19th century in Yorkshire, England. Dogs can weigh between four and seven kilograms.

The Standard revealed in April that dog thefts in the UK had hit a seven-year high, with London proving to be the worst hit area.

About 2,760 dogs were stolen last year, figures compiled by Direct Line Pet Insurance show, a 16% increase on 2015.

Figures released under the Freedom of Information Act show the most likely breeds to be targeted are French bulldogs, which cost more than £3,000, followed by Jack Russell Terriers and other small dogs such as Chihuahuas and Pugs.

London was the worst affected area in the country with 422 thefts reported to the Met, followed by West Yorkshire and then Kent.