A FURIOUS animal lover has called for a change in policy after being told to release a lost dog back where he found it.

Edward Pridige of Main Road, Dovercourt found a Yorkshire terrier running loose near Dovercourt Cemetery at 6.30pm on Sunday.

But he was told that no dog wardens would be available because it was out of hours.

He was then told to keep the dog until the wardens were back at work on Monday morning or let it go close to where he found it.

“I think it is diabolical. There should be a dog warden on call for weekends in case something like this happens.

“The dog was really stressed out and it was yelping and whining because it was lost."

Fortunately after an appeal on Facebook the Yorkshire terrier was returned home within hours.

A spokesman for Tendring Council said: “The dog warden is unfortunately not a 24 hour service.

“After 5pm there is no service so Careline do advise the caller to keep the dog until working hours or to let the dog go.”