CLEVELAND police have reunited a lost dog with his owners.
Constable Steph Randolph said police found Ernie the cocker spaniel wondering on the street during patrols at Cleveland on Tuesday.
When they pulled over to investigate, Ernie jumped into the police car for a ride.
"Ernie was more then happy to take a look inside to get out of the heat and get into the air-conditioning," the spokesperson said.
"(He) appeared to have wondered off from his home and was lost."
Constable Randolph said Ernie was reunited with his family after police contacted a number on his dog tag.
"Ernie was returned to his home and was more then happy to show the officers his yard and how he had escaped," Constable Randolph said.
"He was a little bamboozled as to why police covered the hole created to escape but his foster parents were very happy to see Ernie home safe again from his adventure."