A DOG stolen along with its owner's car has been retrieved by police and reunited with the family.

Police on Teesside said yesterday they hoped to arrest suspects in connection with the theft of weeks-old puppy Betty, and owner Jill Geiser's car.

The car - a Renault Clio - was recovered at South Bank, near Middlesbrough, two days after it was taken.

But it was not until eight days later that a tip-off led officers to a house in the area where the flat-coated retriever was recovered.

Detective Constable Richie Ornsby said Dr Geiser, husband Peter and daughter Katie were in tears when he and colleague, Detective Constable Guy Meek, returned Betty to them.

"They were overwhelmed," he said.

Dr Geiser, who had left her keys in her car as she ran quickly into the village post office at Crathorne, near Yarm, when it was stolen, said: "It's all our Christmases come at once. We all thought, in the scheme of things, we had a better chance of winning the National Lottery."

Dr Geiser had scoured the area looking for the puppy, visiting schools with home-made posters, checking, rescue centres, animal agencies and vets.

She said that but for the help of the police, the family would not have got Betty back.

DC Ornsby said: "It has a happy ending and a very pleasing experience.''

Dr Geiser added: "The message from all this is never leave your keys in the car."