An emotional update on the condition of one of the missing Acresford dogs found last month in Hampshire has been given - by Rikki the dachshund.

Eight of the dogs were stolen from Seale Pastures Kennels at Acresford near Swadlincote in February - and only three have been reunited with their owner Police issue appeal after eight dogs stolen from kennels near Ashby.

That means the search is still on for the other five.

The third one to be recovered, Rikki, was found 130 miles away near BasingstokeThird stolen dog is found in Basingstoke.

Now a progress report has been posted online - as if written by Rikki himself.

And it makes it clear that, while the beloved pet is home again, his recovery has a long way to go - and the mental scars of his ordeal are still there.

The post, on the Swadlincote 8 stolen dachshunds page, reads: "Hello, it's Rikki here with an update...thank you all for helping to get me home...I am getting a bit better.

"My hair is starting to grow back on my nose and it's not sore anymore.

"My lovely red fur on my face is still grey though.

"My ears are not as sore either, the earmites have gone, but my ears are still shiny and bald... Mum is still treating the frostbite on my ears every day.

"She found out yesterday when my coat was stripped why I'm still smelly....I have a secondary skin infection on my chest.

"Probably from urine scald. So now I'm having treatment for that too.

"I don't like other boy dogs anymore, (I used to love all dogs) probably because the bad people mated me a lot and now my hormones are sky high.

"The vet said I mustn't mate again ever because I may be carrying something nasty that could be passed on.

"I also now have separation anxiety, I am frightened of the dark, not liking being outside, barking at loud noises..and it frightens me when doors are closed so mum leaves all the doors open now.

"I flinch and shake when the back of my neck is touched (from being scruffed by the bad people) but I am so happy to be safe.

"I sit and stare at mum to make sure I'm not dreaming. I sleep better now and don't have so many nightmares. So does mum. But we still worry every day for the five dogs still missing.

"Please don't stop searching and sharing. We need to find them all.

"WE NEED TO STOP THE BAD PEOPLE DOING THIS TO DOGS LIKE ME.

"Thank you, stay safe, love Rikki."