RCMP west of Edmonton said a number of people helped reunite a dog with his owner; one week after the canine disappeared late last week.

Spruce Grove/Stony Plain RCMP said Friday that Diego, a husky-collie cross had been reunited with his owner, with some help from concerned citizens and the county animal shelter.

Diego had disappeared Thursday, May 23 from the backyard of an Onoway home under strange circumstances.

RCMP said at the time that the dog had been tied up on a leash in the yard while the owner was out.

When the owner returned, the dog was missing, and a note had been left saying “Smile…you are being watched because you have to be careful. Big Brother is onto you!”

Parkland County officials said the dog’s owner, Glenn Arcand, was looking at Facebook Thursday, when he noticed Parkland County Animal Control had posted a picture of his dog online.

Diego had been picked up in Parkland County and taken to animal control – so Arcand got in touch with the county.

Meanwhile, a staffer with animal control, Mackenzie Blackburn, was already in touch with RCMP to confirm the dog belonged to Arcand, following up on an anonymous tip.

A short time later, Diego and Arcand were reunited.