Reunited! Pup Rosco returned to delighted Zoe after appeal

Zoe Picken, from West Bromwich, is now over the moon after police returned her 11-week-old American Akita Rosco – thanks to an eagle-eyed family friend spotting the pooch for sale on Gumtree.

A 28-year-old man admitted taking the dog from the town after he was arrested by officers. He has since agreed to apologise to the family.

Zoe's mother Katherine, 50, said the family was 'over the moon' to be reunited with Rosco.

The dog became the face of a social media appeal following his disappearance on January 9.

Rosco had escaped from the family's home in the town's High Street before he was picked up.

But West Midlands Police was alerted to the theft after an alert family friend spotted a brown and black pup for sale on Gumtree with a striking resemblance to Rosco.

Officers reunited Rosco with the family on January 11.

Katherine said: "Zoe was heartbroken. We'd only had Rosco for about four weeks but they'd already struck up a real bond. We were worried he'd been hit by a car or stolen.

"A friend got in touch saying they thought they'd seen his photo in a sales advert.

"We made out we were interested buyers and arranged to go and see the dog. But it was just to give us enough time to contact the police.

"They went over that afternoon and brought Rosco back. We're over the moon to have him home. Zoe hasn't stopped smiling since!"

West Bromwich neighbourhood police Sergeant Stephen Knight said police officers used a microchip detection device to confirm that the dog being offered for sale was Rosco.

And Sergeant Knight, who retires this week after a career spanning three decades, said it was great to finish on a 'high'.

He added: "I retire this week after 30 years in policing. It's fantastic to finish on a high.

"The look on Zoe's face now that she's got Rosco back was great to see and being able to help like this is exactly why I joined the force."

A 28-year-old man, who had no previous convictions, admitted taking the dog after finding him in the street.

He has agreed to take part in a community resolution that will see him apologise to the family.

Akitas are a large breed of dog that originate from the mountainous northern regions of Japan.

The American Akita came about after US soldiers, who had fought in Japan during the Second World War, brought the dogs home with them after being so impressed with the breed.