Two dogs taken away in a ute stolen in Central Otago at the weekend have been found, and an arrest has been made in connection with the incident.
The dogs, 9-year-old huntaway-cross Jock and 5-year-old blue heeler Nala, had been missing since 1pm on Saturday after the ute they were still in was stolen from Omakau.
Police this afternoon said they had arrested a man in Fairlie this morning and he was due in court tomorrow.
About 6.30am, police were notified that a person had spotted a man with two dogs in Main St, Fairlie, a spokeswoman said.
"Upon police arrival, the dogs were the two that were in a white Holden Colorado ute, stolen from Omakau on Saturday.
"The dogs have been taken to a local vet to be checked over and will be returned home."
Police also located the stolen ute early today in a remote Geraldine rural location.
A 35-year-old man was due to appear in the Timaru District Court tomorrow facing a number of charges, the spokeswoman said.
The dogs' owner, Shaid Jackson, of Springvale, confirmed earlier this morning the dogs were in the care of veterinarians in Fairlie — not far from where she said the ute had been found dumped.
She and her partner, Jacob Nolan, received the good news from police this morning.
"We both just lost it," Ms Jackson said.
"We really couldn't even imagine that this is how it was going to turn out.
"We're so beyond relieved."
Ms Jackson said Mr Nolan was currently on the way to see the dogs.
They were walking and were in good condition ‘‘considering what they've been through.’’
"The vets are checking them over now, though, just to make sure that there's nothing too serious."
She thanked the members of the public who had reported sightings of their stolen ute, as well as those who had been out day and night assisting them and police.
Ms Jackson said a member of the public came across the offender "on a push bike with the two dogs".
The man was initially offered a ride in a car, until the member of the public realised who he was, "threw him out" and took the dogs straight to the vet, she said.
