A police dog that went on the run after being castrated has been reunited with his relieved handler.

Klauss, the two-year-old German shepherd, burrowed his way under a fence at the home of British Transport Police officer Steve Gould in Southend, a week after going under the knife for the routine op.

Officers thought his disappearance could have been down to the fact he was probably a bit upset after his ordeal.

Yesterday he was found safe and well in Thundersley.

Mr Gould spent a sleepless night trying to find the escapee and eventually tracked him down to the Acresway Kennels where he had been taken after being found overnight.

Although Klauss lives in Southend he spends his working hours on football trains and carrying out searches in London.

Mr Gould, 45, said: "I was devastated when he went missing. He had the operation about a week ago but he had been out and had even been to work with me even though he hadn't been working.

"I was just glad when I found him."

Welcome home - Steve Gould greets Klauss

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