A 27-year-old man has been arrested in relation to the theft of Christchurch puppy Billy.

The 4-week old Staffordshire bull terrier was allegedly stolen while he was tied up outside a dairy on Bealey Ave on January 12th.

CCTV footage released by police showed a man near the scene of the crime who left in a silver SUV.

Billy’s neighbour told Chris Lynch last week, Billy was spotted at an address not far from where he was taken and police managed to find him and return Billy to his owners.

Canterbury police said “we can also report Billy’s still enjoying being back home and being spoilt by his humans.”

The man is due to appear in Christchurch District Court on Friday.