THE HAMMERS have won high praise after helping a hapless hound find its way home.

Bruno, a two-year-old Japanese Akita, spent Monday (January 2) watching his favourite club, West Ham, train for their upcoming match against Newcastle this evening (Wednesday January 4).

The football-loving pedigree made his way to the training ground in Chadwell Heath, at around 11am, after escaping from his owner.

Staff contacted the local RSPCA office in Chippenham Road, Harold Hill, who discovered the wayward two-year-old was microchipped - allowing a happy reunion with the owner.

RSPCA officer Maddie Wallace said: “Bruno spent all day with the team and staff being spoilt rotten.

“We just wanted to say a huge thanks to the West Ham team and staff for taking such good care of Bruno and contacting us to make sure that Bruno found his way home safely.”

Maddie added: “Sadly not all lost dogs make their way home like Bruno did. Please ensure that you microchip your animals and keep your contact details up to date.”

West Ham United and England striker Carlton Cole, a long-time supporter of the Battersea Dogs’ and Cats’ Home, who has undertaken several fundraising commitments for the charity, said: “We were surprised to see him. He just turned up but seemed to like being here with us and was more than happy to stay for the day.

“Many of us have had dogs as pets and are animal lovers, so we are glad the RSPCA could help return him to his owners.

“I have seen at close hand through charity work with Battersea Dogs’ Home, the number of dogs that are abandoned and ones they have to re-home, so it is good this has all turned out well in the end.”

Owner Gudreet Bhogal said: “Bruno had decided to run away this morning while on his walk at 8am and had somehow made it from Ilford to Chadwell heath. We feared that we would never see Bruno again.”