A DOG who saved his owner has now been saved himself.

Monty, a black and white miniature English Bull Terrier, helped discover his owner’s cancerous tumour before he went missing during a walk in Buckhurst Hill.

Now he has been reunited with his owner, Martin Kelly, thanks to the efforts of two Colchester officers.

Monty went missing in March.

It was feared he had been stolen.

This was devastating for Mr Kelly, particularly as Monty spotted a tumour in Mr Kelly’s neck before Mr Kelly did.

He said: “When Monty got up onto the sofa for a cuddle, he kept nuzzling into my neck, licking one spot on the right side.

“I thought perhaps it was something to do with sweat on my skin, but he kept on doing it.

“I went to the doctors for something unrelated and asked her about it afterwards.

By then, a small lump had appeared and I thought he may have passed on some germs where he kept licking me.

“The doctor told me to get my wife and go to Whipps Cross, where they told me it could be cancer.

“I had a biopsy and was diagnosed with throat cancer. If it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t have known it was there.”

During one of the recovery walks Monty disappeared.

Attempts to find him included the posting of pictures on the free DogLost website.

One day a representative called Essex Police to say he may be in a village near Tiptree.

Officers PC Phil Robinson and PC Joe Self from Colchester went to investigate.

PC Robinson said: “When we reached the property, we immediately noticed a small dog fitting Monty’s description running around the front of the property. We knocked on the door, but there was no answer.

“We were sure the dog was Monty and just couldn’t leave him behind.

“There was a small wall separating us from him – we called his name and he jumped over it to see us.

“We got him in the car and drove straight to a vet in Colchester to get him scanned, as we knew Monty was microchipped.

“The vet confirmed that the dog was Monty, where the scanner even gave a message that he was currently reported as missing on DogLost’s website.

“We telephoned DogLost as soon as we got confirmation, as we were keen to get Monty home as soon as possible”.

Now Martin and Monty are reunited thanks to the efforts of Essex Police and DogLost.

PC Self added: “It was fantastic to see Monty back in his rightful home – you could even see he was returning to his old habits straight away, as he was searching for his ball as soon as he got through the door.

“We are just happy we were able to assist in some way of getting him back to his owners – it is clear that he is a very much loved member of the family."

Jane Frankland, police co-ordinator for DogLost, said:"Monty's recovery was a great example of DogLost working together with Essex Police.

"From the first call that was made and the report being sent through, to action taken by these two officers, and finally receiving the great news from Pc Robinson to say they'd found Monty.

"The operation to recover this dog was completed in less than 24 hours.

"That's what we call team work, and illustrates why we are proud to be recognised by Essex Police and to be able to work in collaboration with them."