A stolen English bulldog has returned home safe after his owners offered a $10,000 reward.
Owners Ethan Yandall, 21, and Dolly Niuhulu, 20, said their dog George went missing last Wednesday after a gate was left open at their Parnell home.
The couple said their "friendly and cuddly" bulldog who was loved by the whole family had never strayed from home before.
Neighbours reported that two men had found the one-year-old bulldog and taken him to the pound.
After the young couple checked animal shelters daily for their microchipped pup with no success, they hired a private investigator.
The couple said they then offered a $10,000 reward to discourage anyone from on-selling George.
Family members and other bulldog owners chipped in to raise the hefty sum.
"He means that much to us," Nihulu told NZME.
"I just don't know how anyone could do this...we are so heartbroken, this is like my baby and we don't know where he is."
Five days after posting the hefty reward, George returned home.
"My son is home," Niuhulu posted on Facebook.
It has not been revealed if the person who returned the bulldog left $10,000 richer.
An Auckland police spokesperson said they had received a report on Wednesday that a dog had been taken from Parnell's Stephens Avenue area.
Anyone with information on the matter is asked to contact Auckland police.
