Skip to content

Horndean dog theft: Man arrested after pet snatched from boy

BBC Donna, Sam and Mark with MelchyBBC
Melchy was reunited with his owner the following morning after a social media campaign was shared thousands of times

A man has been arrested over the theft of a pet dog from its teenage owner.

Border terrier Melchy was forcefully taken from 13-year-old Sam during a walk in Horndean, Hampshire, and bundled into a blue car on 3 August.

He was found in a local park and returned after doorbell camera footage of the theft was put on social media.

A 36-year-old man, from Paulsgrove, arrested on suspicion of robbery, has been released but remains under investigation.

A 17-year-old boy from Portsmouth previously arrested on suspicion of robbery has been released on bail.

Border terrier Melchy was taken in Stonechat Road, Horndean, on 3 August
Presentational grey line

Follow BBC South on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].