A FAMILY have had their beloved dog returned 21 months after it was taken into police care.

Archie, a large Staffordshire Bull Terrier crossed with a Rottweiler, was taken from his owner Sean Joseph Murphy, of Rudhall View, Lea, and kept in kennels following an alleged incident in December 2015.

Mr Murphy was ill on the day of his trial at Hereford Magistrates Court earlier this year and was found guilty in his absence of failing to comply with a control of dog order, owning a dangerous dog and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.

He told the court on the day of sentencing in January, 2017 that he did not appear for his trial due to a sickness bug and said he thought it was unfair that he was found guilty, without being able to give his defence.

Magistrates ordered the destruction of the dog, pending any appeal, and disqualified Mr Murphy from keeping dogs for ten years.

At Worcester Crown Court last week all three convictions were quashed on the first day of a three-day appeal hearing.

Archie was returned to his family home on Tuesday.

"I had been looking at the videos of when dogs are reunited with their owners after 10 years and it was exactly like that," said Mr Murphy.

"Archie was yelping and pulling me towards the front door and licking the children's faces. After 21 months he is exactly the same in nature and is perfect. After telling the appeal judge all the information and giving him all the relevant paper work including RSPCA letters and vets bills the appeal was upheld at 1.30pm on the first day of the three day hearing."

Mr Murphy, who has four children and owns a local ground works business wants to clear his name following the appeal.

He added: "It was terrible being convicted for my reputation, I play in a local rugby team and some people definitely snubbed me.

"Out of 100 people who plead not guilty I was the one in 100 wrongly found guilty. I'm just relieved it's all over and to get Archie home. My children have been traumatised by the whole thing too."