A puppy detained by police after biting an officer has been returned to its owners.

Bungle, a chow chow, was seized by Northamptonshire Police under the Dangerous Dogs Act after biting an officer twice while on the loose in a road after escaping from the family home.

The four-month-old puppy's owners reportedly appointed lawyers to fight for their pet's release - and more than 5,000 people signed up to a Facebook group to support them.

Police say the dog was "aggressive" and an officer sustained minor injuries after being bitten on the hand and arm during the incident in Towcester, Northamptonshire, on 17 November.

He is now "recovering well".


Image: Thousands of dog-lovers petitioned for Bungle's release

On Thursday evening, Northamptonshire Police said a specialist dog handler had met with the family and the owners had agreed to a voluntary control order.

The family wrote on social media: "Bungle is home...hooray!

"This evening a very understanding police officer brought Bungle home to us. Bungle was SSSOOOO pleased to see us and excited, it was lovely."

The family say Bungle will be returning to his puppy training lessons on Saturday mornings.

Image: Bungle the puppy has been released

Chief Superintendent Chris Hillery defended the police's actions, saying the decision had been taken "in the context of some very real and serious cases involving dog bites that have resulted in serious life-changing injuries and even death locally and nationally".

Mr Hillery said the decision to return the dog was made after "a proportionate investigation and risk assessment".

He said: "We understand that the actions taken on this occasion have generated significant public opinion on the proportionality of the officers' actions.

"To be absolutely clear, I fully support the officers' actions in this case, the dog was unattended in a live carriageway and was aggressive to those present, resulting in the officer being bitten and receiving injuries that required hospital attention."

He added: "The potential risk posed by the dog at that time is not diminished by its age or that it was frightened.

"Having already bitten the officer twice, causing puncture wounds and bruising, it would have been negligent to release a dog displaying such obvious aggression, regardless of the cause, without first ensuring both the dog's and the wider public's safety."

The force reminded owners they are responsible for their pets and to ensure they do not present a danger to the wider public at any time.