A black Chihuahua who was dog-napped from a car boot sale in Aldenham and held for ransom has been reunited with its owner.

Five-year-old Yoda was stolen in Aldenham Country Park in Dagger Lane in May.

Witnesses at the time said two boys approached a woman in her thirties, one distracted her whilst the other stole her dog, which was tethered two her car.

The owner, who has asked to remain anonymous, said when she was handing out flyers about missing Yoda at a caravan park, two boys recognised the dog.

"They called their father, who asked for me more than £1,500, which I didn't have.

"Afterwards I went back to Aldenham, where the car boot sale was and found out where the two boys lived and where Yoda was being held, which was in Hemel Hempstead.

"We contacted the police and they tried to help but we lost him."

The owner enlisted the help of Harvey's Army - a group of residents from Bushey, Watford and South Oxhey who predominantly use social media to keep residents up to date on pet news.

A few weeks later the owner was contacted to say Yoda had been found. She said: "When we went to get him we saw Yoda in a cage. They asked for money but I didn't have it so they let me go home to get some. We couldn't go back afterwards so lost him again."

On Saturday, she received a call from a third person, who claimed to have found Yoda. They told the owner they recognised the dog from the missing posters and bought him for £550 and was happy to return him for the same price.

This time, with the support from Jackie Chapman and Kaye Beedle - volunteers from Harvey's Army, the owner met the caller in Uxbridge.

Ms Chapman and Ms Beedle sat at the entrance whilst the exchange took place and Yoda was reunited.

Yoda had lost nearly one kilo during that time, her owner said, he also had a bald patch with scratch marks on his head and a missing toe nail.

"It was so horrible to see him in that condition, "she said, "but I'm so glad to have him back. He is eating well now and looks happy to be back."

Ms Chapman said on facebook afterwards: "No-one can imagine how horrific it is to have your dog abducted.

"Yoda was unneutered and we are very confident they were used him for breeding and then the ransom money. Please get your dogs neutered to make them less attractive to these kind of thieves."