A MYSTERIOUS phone call led to a distraught dog owner being reunited with her pair of French Bulldogs puppies.

At just five-weeks-old, brother and sister Dakota and Oswald were stolen from their home in Eton Road, Clacton, on Tuesday morning.

Kelly James, 36, returned from the school run and realised they had disappeared.

After searching in and around the living room, she then found the back door was open and knew immediately they had been taken.

The mum-of-four hoped the thieves would have a change of heart and leave the dogs in a box at the front of her home.

Now, the pups have been returned to their rightful owner and she is feeling "fantastic".

She said: "I had a phone call at just after 8pm last night from a withheld number saying, 'They're at number four'.

"I asked where they meant, and they replied, 'Eton Road, they're in a box'.

"I've never ran so fast in all of my life.

"I was looking out for cars thinking I'd see someone driving past, but I didn't."Gazette:

Miss James was desperate to reunite sister Dakota, who has breathing difficulties, with three-year-old mum Shelby.

The dog was pacing the floor and began showing signs of stress as a result of the separation.

"She's a completely different dog now," Miss James said.

"Oswald and Dakota were fine but starving. They fed for a good 45 minutes when I got them inside.

"I'll be taking them to the vets later today for them to be checked out and will be asking about getting them microchipped.

"Usually you can't get it done until they're six weeks old but given the circumstances."

An appeal was posted on the social media site Facebook and shared more than 2,500 times in a bid to find the puppies.

An online group page was also set up and lost dog flyers posted around the town.

Miss James thanked everyone who shared the appeal on the Stolen Bulldog Babies Facebook page.