A dog owner has been reunited with his beloved black Staffie after it escaped during a burglary.

The six-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier, named Taz, escaped from his home near Ashlyns, Pitsea, when thieves broke in overnight.

During the break-in at Danny Gurton’s home, the burglars stole the car keys and drove off with the car, which was later found dumped in Danbury Down, Basildon.

Mr Gurton, 34, has now been reunited with Taz thanks to Good Samaritan Melissa Smith, who spotted him wandering outside her neighbour’s home.

Mrs Smith, 45, a hairdresser from Pitsea, was on her way to the gym at about 5.30am on Monday when she spotted the dog.

She said that she immediately realised that Taz did not belong there, because she knows all her neighbour’s pooches.

She said: “I took the dog into my home, fed him, gave him lots of cuddles and my son Bradley played with him. He’s a young dog, so I thought it was very likely he was lost rather than being abandoned.

“I put up a post on Facebook, asking family and friends to share my post. I got so many shares on Facebook. My husband saw an appeal published by the Echo on social media.

“We thought it was very likely the Staffie belonged to the man. Because my post was shared many times, a friend of the man messaged me on Facebook about the possibility of the dog belonging to her friend. I called police and they said he was the owner. I took the dog to Pets At Homes and they reunited there.

“He said it didn’t matter if the car was gone forever, as long as it wasn’t his Staffie.”

Mr Gurton was extremely relieved to know Taz was not hurt.

He said: “Taz must’ve got out when the thieves opened the door of my house overnight on Monday.

“I was so worried that Taz was gone forever, I was scared that he got hit by a car. He’s a very kind dog, but he isn’t very streetwise. He’s not very good with crossing the roads.

“I don’t have Facebook, and it a close friend of mine who called me and said she saw a post by Melissa. I got in touch with Melissa, and Taz and I are together again. I want thank her for taking care of him, I can never thank her enough.”