A PUPPY stolen by masked thieves during an armed raid on a family home in Darlington has been found.

French bulldog Violet has been reunited with her owners after a vet in Scotland tracked them down using details on her microchip.

Violet was stolen at just ten weeks old when masked men armed with a machete smashed their way into her family’s Darlington home, while they were in the property, on Halloween.

She was found after a woman in Glasgow bought her and took her to the vet to be microchipped, having no idea that the much-loved pet had been stolen.

Owner Joanne Leslie updated all who have helped in the hunt for Violet via Facebook in the early hours of this morning.

She said: “After a five hour journey, I am so happy to say that we arrived in Scotland and we’ve got our Violet back.

“The lady bought her four weeks ago for her daughter and they did not know she had been stolen.

“I feel awful at how upset they were but our baby had to come home to my boys and her mama.

“She is fit and well and has been looked after in a lovely home.

“People kept telling me she wouldn’t be found and to forget about finding her but I knew my prayers would be answered.

“No words to describe how happy we all are and grateful to God for guiding my baby home.”

Three were arrested in connection with the incident and one man has since appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court charged with two counts of aggravated burglary.

The case against Darlington man Adain Blareau, 25, was sent to Teesside Crown Court and will be heard next week.