A dispute over a terrier which nearly resulted in a court battle was resolved when the family who bought the dog from a rescue home returned him to his owners.

Wellie, a wire-haired terrier who belonged to 14-year-old Tom Muers-Raby, was reported missing in August when he disappeared from the family home in Broomfield, Somerset.

The family, who told the RSPCA, the police and a local dog warden about the loss, were not told he had been handed in to Rosegate Kennels - a nearby rescue home.

After the terrier remained unclaimed for several days, the kennels sold Wellie to another Somerset family.

It was not going to go away and the new owners were facing a huge legal battle.

Pierce Furlong, Sedgemoor Council

But when the Muers-Rabys found out what had happened and asked for Wellie to be returned, his new owners - who have not been identified - refused.

The Muers-Raby family were furious and on Tuesday instructed a solicitor to begin legal action against the kennels and Sedgemoor District Council, which runs the centre.

But on Wednesday a council spokesman said Wellie's new owners had become so exasperated with the stress of the dispute that they had agreed to return the dog.

Pierce Furlong, head of environmental services at the council, said: "It was not going to go away and the new owners were facing a huge legal battle."

Tom Muers-Raby's father Nigel, described the episode as a "nightmare" but said they were delighted to have Wellie back.

"I have one very happy little boy here," he said.

Mr Muers-Raby said he had withdrawn the threat of legal action, but was considering trying to recoup the costs he had incurred from the council.