Stolen Dog Nieko Is Safe And Happy At Home In Barnegat: Video

BARNEGAT TOWNSHIP, NJ - Nieko is home, much to the delight of his family.

It's been more than a week since the little 16-pound dog was stolen from his Barnegat home by a woman who was caught on surveillance camera taking him.

His owner says Nieko is home thanks to the Barnegat Police Department and Officer Brett Taylor, who tracked him down and found him in a home in Florida. The details of how that was done have not been released yet. But it doesn't matter right now.

"It has been quite the journey for this little guy, but it is with much excitement I can say he is home and beyond happy to be here!" owner Jo Hihm said. "He arrived in the wee hours of the morning and was thrilled to eat his breakfast at home where he belongs!"

Check out this video of the excited 13-year-old black maltipoo arriving at home very early this mornin.

"We cannot thank everyone enough for all the kindness," Hihm said. "The love for Nieko has been tremendous! There truly is still so much good left in the world!!"

The little dog apparently got out from under the family's fence on Feb. 28. A woman was caught on surveillance video picking up the pup at 1:10 p.m. She never notified police or animal shelters that she had Neiko.

The woman seen holding the dog with the car in the background is apparently the one who took Nieko.

His owner says Nieko is home thanks to the Barnegat Police Department and Officer Brett Taylor, who tracked him down and found him in a home in Florida. The details of how that was done have not been released yet. But it doesn't matter right now.

"Without them, we might never have seen him again," she told Patch. "They all went above and beyond for our pup!"

Photos and videos: Courtesy of Jo Hihm.