Four-year-old girl's stolen puppy returned by remorseful thieves

Eight-week-old Sasha had only lived with the family for one week before she was taken

Puppy Sasha was returned to her family several days after she was snatched from her home (Victoria Police)

A four-year-old girl’s stolen puppy has been returned to the family seemingly by the thieves who took it.

The eight-week-old labrador, Sasha, was taken along with a laptop, an iPad and jewellery from the family’s home in Melbourne, Australia, on Monday.

The puppy had only lived with the family for one week before she was stolen and has a medical condition.

In an attempt to get their pet back, the owners - including four-year-old Maia - posted an appeal on social media that was widely shared.

A couple of days later, Sasha turned up at home - having apparently been dropped off by the remorseful thieves who took her.

“A Croydon Hills family have been reunited with their puppy after it was stolen during a burglary on Monday morning,” Victoria police said in a statement issued on Thursday morning.

“Labrador Sasha’s owners noticed their beloved pup had been returned to the backyard of their Croydon Hills Drive home about 7.20am this morning.”

Speaking to Australia's ABC News, Ryan Hood told reporters his daughter had been left devastated when their dog was snatched.

“We didn’t want to get our hopes up. And then this morning, my wife got up to make herself a coffee, walked past the sliding door and noticed that there was a figure moving by the kennel,” he said.

“We think whoever took her has either has a conscience or got scared and just dropped her over the fence, we don’t care to be honest, we’re just glad to have her back.”