SIX puppies that were stolen in the dead of night were reunited with their mum and their owner - after a handover at a Somerset service station.

The sextet of five-week-old Springer Spaniels were returned, huddled in a box, enthralled to be back home on the family farm in Dawlish, Devon, on Sunday (September 8).

Along with a four-month-old puppy which is still missing, they were snatched up on September 2, while owner Aimee Foster was sleeping.

Devastated shop assistant Aimee immediately launched an appeal on Facebook for their safe return, offering a £3,000 bounty.

Six days after they went missing, Aimee was reunited with the six young pups - even haggling to knock £500 off the promised reward.

She said that she and her family received a phone call yesterday (7) evening "from someone saying they had our puppies".

"They insisted that it was the right puppies and they agreed to meet my dad at a service station in Somerset," said Aimee, 20.

"They told us they didn't know where our other puppy was."

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Aimee said that she's relieved to have her puppies home, and posted an emotional video of the pups on social media this morning.

She added: "They are all doing really well. It was crazy in our kitchen last night as it was all hands on deck to feed and wash them.

"When we got them back they stank; I have never smelt anything like it. They also hadn't had any water in a while so they were dehydrated.

"The first thing I did was feed them, they wolfed down their food they were so hungry."

Despite being reunited with her dogs, Aimee said she is heartbroken that the four-month-old puppy is still missing.

Recalling that she'd come home on Monday to find the kennel doors open, Aimee wonders if the youngest is missing - but won't rule out her being stolen.

She said: "I only got her a couple of months ago and I just want her home."

On Facebook, Aimee posted: "To the people who took these puppies- "A massive thank you for their safe return.

"Unfortunate that you couldn't provide for them in the same way that I was.

"They were soaking wet with cold water when we received them at handover, they have fleas, they were dehydrated and extremely hungry.

"Last night it was all hands on deck feeding, bathing, and cleaning up after them endlessly!

"Here is a video taken just minutes ago! Spirits still high! Belly full of food!

"They are so happy to be home".

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And in an earlier post, she wrote: "Wow... the power of Facebook is truly AMAZING!

"Thank you to everybody that has helped get my little ones home!!️ "The hunt for 'x' will continue. I will never stop looking for her."

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