A frantic search for two beloved family dogs ended in a "miracle" rescue this morning, after a thief was caught red-handed by a sharp-eyed member of the public.

The drama began on Saturday, January 4th, when a ute containing Nala (5) and Jock (9) was stolen from Omakau. The theft sparked a massive social media campaign and a relentless police search across the South Island, with owners Nolan and Jackson pleading for the safe return of their "babies."

The first breakthrough came at 1:30 am when police located the stolen ute abandoned. However, the vehicle was empty, and the dogs were nowhere to be found, sparking fears they had been dumped or hidden.

The situation took a dramatic turn at 6:30 am near Fairlie. A member of the public spotted a man struggling to ride a bicycle while handling two dogs. Thinking the cyclist needed help, the motorist pulled over to offer a ride.

Once the man and the dogs were inside the vehicle, the driver immediately recognised Nala and Jock from the viral social media posts that had saturated local feeds overnight.

In a swift move, the driver "threw the guy out of the truck" and drove the dogs straight to the Fairlie vets to ensure they were unharmed.

The news of the recovery has brought an overwhelming sense of relief to the owners, who couldn't have hoped for a better outcome, and are so "beyond relieved."

As the couple prepared to reunite with their pets, Jackson was already planning a celebratory canine feast.

The owners say the recovery of the dogs, and the vehicle, is a rare victory in such cases. They credited the community’s vigilance for the successful outcome, and expressed their gratitude to each and every person who helped.

Nala and Jock are expected to be back in their owners' arms by late morning, safe and sound after their unexpected South Island ordeal.