A MISSING dog returned home in time for Christmas after he was found wandering 15 miles from his home.

Spot the border collie went missing from a care farm in Sandlin, near Leigh Sinton, on Saturday, December 7.

Facing a Christmas without their much-loved pet – which is also a fully trained working dog – the relieved owners received a phone call on Saturday, December 21, saying he had been sighted in Westhide, Herefordshire.

And when they turned up, they found the four-year-old long-haired dog ambling along the road.

Nigel Hooper, Spot’s owner, said: “He had a high temperature and we took him to the vet’s. He was underweight and limping but his temperature soon came down, though he will have to go back to the vet’s for more check-ups.”

It is not known where the dog had been while he was missing but there was a chance he was stolen.

“There’s a possibility he was stolen and got away but we’re not 100 per cent sure.

“Everybody missed him and not just us because we look after people with learning disabilities and they missed him, too.”

Spot was having to be fed little and often to return his weight back to normal but was said to be happy to be home for the festivities.

Mr Hooper said: “Spot is responding well to treatment and is well on his way to a full recovery.”