Husky owner baffled after litter returned within hours of theft

Colin Blacklabel with Husky Tanya and the reunited litter of pups, five of which may have been targeted by thieves

The seven-week-old Husky cross pups were snatched from their enclosure in the garden of a Ratho home in the early hours of the morning.

The theft was reported to the police but 14 hours later the pups were returned after being left outside owner Colin Blacklabel's front door.

The 24-year-old told how he was devastated when he realised five of the six puppies were missing when he woke up on Monday morning.

One puppy and the puppies' mother, five-year-old Tanya, were still in the enclosure. Mr Black- label, a children's entertainer, who believes the puppies were stolen at around 4am, said: "I was petrified when I saw they were gone.

"I was really worried. One of the most horrible feelings for me was the uncertainty of what would become of them.

"The first thing I did was scan around the vicinity of the garden. One of the puppies was still in the enclosure - they only took five. I suspect the puppy was tucked away under the bedding and they just didn't see it.

"The mother never has a collar on so it's unlikely that they were going to try and manhandle a really big dog.

"The gate was open at the time but you don't expect this to happen because the gate's so far down a long track which leads to the house."

However, after reporting the incident to police, and asking friends and family to look out for any possible "for sale" adverts for Husky cross puppies, Mr Blacklabel received a welcome - and unexpected - surprise at around 6pm that evening.

"They miraculously appeared," he said. "We heard a car arriving on our track that leads to the house, we went outside and then they all came running up to us.

"We didn't see the car. We think maybe the people have stolen them to order and then they weren't wanted, or they panicked.

"For whatever reason, they have returned. I was amazed and absolutely gobsmacked. I was so happy. It was a huge relief.

"They all seemed a bit shocked and overwhelmed and really, really happy to be back."

The puppies, two of which are brindle, one black and three brown, have been sleeping in the house since their mystery return. They were Husky Tanya's second litter and will soon go to new homes.

A police spokesman said: "Lothian and Borders Police are investigating after five Husky cross-breed puppies were stolen from the garden of a property on Monday, August 1.

"The animals were then returned to the address later that day and enquiries are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding this theft.

"Anyone with information that can assist with this investigation is asked to come forward to police."