HEARTBREAK turned to elation for a Poole couple reunited with their beloved dog 11 days after he was stolen from outside a shop.

Lynn Taylor’s brown toy poodle Coco was taken from outside Homebase at Yarrow Road, Poole, on Saturday, May 16, while she and her husband Dave visited the store.

They scoured the area for their pet – but it later emerged an eyewitness had seen a young boy leading the dog away.

Police issued a description of the boy, who was white, aged between 11 and 14, of medium build with very dark brown or black hair, wearing a white jumper with horizontal stripes of either navy or black.

Lynn, 50, made a heartfelt plea in the Echo for his safe return.

On Wednesday night there was finally a happy ending when Coco was handed in at Poole Police Station.

He had been found by a resident in the back garden of a house in the Alderney area of Poole.

Lynn said: “We both had tears in our eyes when we saw him – he was all over us and wouldn’t stop licking us.

“He hasn’t left our sides since.”

She said Coco was hungry and thirsty with dirty matted fur, but otherwise in good health.

A spokesman for Dorset Police urged anyone with any information about those responsible for the theft to contact PC Tom Isaac of Gravel Hill Safer Neighbourhood team on 01202 222222.