A six-month-old German Shepherd, stolen from a home on Sun Crescent in Lotusville, Verulam, was returned to its owners shortly after being taken.
Reaction Unit South Africa said in a statement that the pup had been found in Todd Street on Thursday.
"At approximately (midday) officers were called out to the residence after an 80-year-old man reported a suspect on his property. Upon arrival the victim explained that he was alone at home while his 72-year-old wife was selling vegetables at the Verulam Market. He noticed a suspect on his property and decided to scare him off."
As he approached him, the suspect advanced towards the victim.
"The elderly man fled back into his house and contacted (us) for assistance. It was established that the suspect had stolen the couple's pedigree German Shepard, Rex, and fled through a bush behind their home."
The victim then provided officers with a description of his pet.
"Officers conducted a search and Rex was found tied to a pole near the Verulam Train Station. He was brought to headquarters where it was reunited with its owners."
The couple, they said, did not want to open a criminal case.