A dog which went missing with a pet-sitter paid to look after it has been reunited with its owners.

Earlier this month, two sisters returned from visiting their father for Christmas to find their hired dog sitter and their Jack Russell, Scarlet, were both missing.

When Filippa Mondlane and her sister tried to find out more, the woman they hired for around £300 named ‘Rose’ was nowhere to be seen.

The sisters, of Barclay Road in Walthamstow, contacted the police but were unable to trace the pair.

They researched to the address of the sitter, hired through website Holidog, only to find it was a Co-op store.

Miss Mondlane said she is ‘overjoyed’ with the reunion.

“Well basically someone saw the article in the paper and called and said that they had picked up Scarlet," she explained.

“She was found running around Wood Street on her own on December 14 or 15.

“They had to re-home her. She was in a new house for a week.

“It’s really amazing to have her back. She is a bit malnourished but she is so cuddly. We are so happy.”

The dog sitter ‘Rose’ has not been traced.

Miss Mondlane said she will be using a kennel in the future, but praised the online service for their assistance.

She said: “We don’t know anymore about Rose.

“Holidog have been very helpful but I don’t think I would use something like that again. I’m more aware now that not everyone is honest or safe.”