A STOLEN dog was rescued by police after he was snatched from the family by a man.

Coco was snatched by a man who got in a waiting car and drove away while she was with her owners the Pearce family at a popular beauty spot in the West Midlands.

Missing Coco was found in Pershore by West Mercia Police officers after intelligence was provided by a member of the public.

Head of public contact, Superintendent Rik Klair said: “Officers identified the car which had been reported to us earlier in the day as a vehicle connected with the attempted sale of suspected stolen dog.

“The officers who had seen the car then saw a distressed and scared dog matching the description of Coco and safely secured her while enquiries were made locally. An investigation into theft of Coco is ongoing.

“It was nice to be the bearer of such good news early this morning to a family who have had very upset children at losing their furry friend.

“Our officers checked Coco’s microchip and then drove him back to the family and reunited them.”

Police said the theft happened on October 1 and the family reported the theft of Coco to West Midlands Police who in turn contacted West Mercia Police.

Roz Pearce, Coco’s owner said: “I can’t thank West Mercia Police enough for everything they have done and to the officers whose keen eyes spotted the car and then Coco.

“For them to rescue her and return her to us was something of a storybook ending and the whole family thanks them for this early Christmas present.”

Coco was found on Tuesday, October 13.