AN owner has spoken of his delight today after being reunited with his stolen Bradford husky Murphy.

Murphy, who has been microchipped, was found in Manchester yesterday and returned back to his owner Andy Smith.

The four-year-old went missing on December 4 last year after a suspected theft by two men in Scholemoor Cemetery.

Mr Smith, of Cemetery Road, Lidget Green, said: "It feels amazing.

"I can't put into words how it feels to have him back. I'm in shock.

Mr Smith said it was still a mystery about what had happened to Murphy, who was taken to the RSPCA in Manchester after he was found in the city and then recognised by a staff member who had seen social media appeals about his whereabouts.

“It’s been a nightmare," he said.

“Murphy seems in good shape and is in good nick.

“It’s been brilliant that people have rallied round.

“I was in tears when I got the phone call to say he had been found.

“When I first picked him up he was subdued but he’s settling back at home well now.”

"We never gave up."

Murphy's disappearance triggered a high-profile search campaign on social media.

Facebook page Get Murphy Home was liked more than 37,800 times, with users sharing possible sightings.

The campaign also received celebrity backing through the likes of Bradford illusionist Dynamo and comedian Johnny Vegas.