SIR Ian Botham’s daughter-in-law has been arrested over the disappearance of a pet dog from the cricket legend’s home.

Sarah-Jayne Botham, the estranged wife of Sir Ian’s son, Liam, was arrested shortly after 10pm on Thursday and questioned at Bishop Auckland police station.

She has been released on bail while inquiries continue.

Woody, a 15-month-old sprocker spaniel belonging to Liam’s fiancee Emma Sayle, went missing from a secure courtyard at the Bothams’ home in Ravensworth, near Richmond, North Yorkshire, at 11.30am on Sunday.

Liam and Miss Sayle were staying at the Botham family home for the weekend when Woody was last seen on the property's CCTV camera.

Liam, a former Newcastle Falcons and Cardiff rugby player, is in the final stages of getting a divorce from Sarah-Jayne.

The estranged couple have three children and Sarah-Jayne lives at a property in the grounds of Sir Ian’s farm.

Liam said his family had been devastated by Woody’s disppearance.

He said: “It is like having your heart ripped out. Woody is loved by the whole family and means the world to Emma - he certainly comes first in the pecking order and is like a child to her.”

The Botham family has offered a £3,000 reward for information which leads to Woody being found.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said anyone who knows the whereabouts of Woody or has any information about his disappearance should call detectives on 0845-60-60-247.