A BELOVED pet pooch feared stolen has been reunited with her family - after a report in The Argus made the sausage dog too hot to handle.

We reported how Daisy, a dachshund cross, disappeared from her home in Neville Road, Hove, and her owners believe she was taken.

Less than a day later, she has now been reunited with her family, who think she was returned by a thief.

The Argus: DaisyDaisy

Sussex Police are now investigating as part of a crackdown on dog theft called Operation Collar.

Daisy's owner Emily Arlidge described the dramatic moment Daisy returned home.

She said: "I don’t know how this has happened – it’s a miracle.

The Argus: Emily with her beloved pet DaisyEmily with her beloved pet Daisy

“My dad was making a cup of tea in the kitchen and the next thing she pressed her little nose up against our cat flap.

“He came into my bedroom holding her and he said ‘Emily, look’ and it was like a dream. I was shaking.”

The five-year-old dog disappeared in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The Argus: Daisy has now been returned to her familyDaisy has now been returned to her family

Emily said it was “out of character” for her dog to go wandering alone and feared she had been “stolen.”

But after a 48-hour search, Emily confirmed that Daisy had been found.

She said Daisy is “not in a good way” and is receiving treatment at the vet.

Emily said: “She is so weak and has absolutely no strength. Her muzzle is swollen, she’s covered in mud and she smells. I don’t know where she’s been or how she got there.

“We think someone has put her back because the gate was shut, there was no way of her getting out.”

A spokeswoman for Sussex Police said: "Anyone who has any information about the dog is asked to report online or ring 101 quoting Operation Collar."