A man has been reunited with his dog that was sold in a pub by crooks for just £120.
Joel Banks, 33, had been walking his Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross, called Ghost, close to his home in Downham, near Bromley, southeast London on November 8 when he suddenly collapsed in the street.
A passerby called 999 for an ambulance and when medics arrived on the scene they were approached by two men who allegedly told them that they knew Joel, and could look after his one-year-old pup.
While Joel was being loaded into the back of an ambulance on a stretcher, his beloved pet was stolen.
Joel was taken to the hospital but when he left the following day, no one could tell him where his dog was.
After looking for Ghost - who is worth an estimated £5,000 - for days, Joel was contacted by a man who bought him in a pub for just £120.
Finally, the pair were reunited yesterday and the dog is now safe and sound at home, Joel said.
The dog owner said: "We received a call from a man who had purchased the dog at a pub in Sydenham for only £120 three days ago.
"He did it due to the shocking low price of such a dog. But after seeing in the news about Ghost, he contacted us to arrange a collection as he wanted to reunite him with me."
Joel, of Catford, said: "The exchange was perfect and Ghost is now safe and sound at home.
"He is somewhat thinner and lighter than before, and clearly very distressed and scared, but he is on his bed with his blankets and toys and with all the love in the world.
"I am so so happy to have my best buddy back safe and with his human."
A Met Police spokesperson said: "Police are investigating an allegation of theft after it was reported that a dog was stolen from outside a pub in Downham Way, Lewisham, on the evening of Tuesday, 8 November.
"No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing."
