Nigel chihuahua
Nigel was apprehended by officers in the early hours of Wednesday 19 April PSNI Craigavon

Police in Northern Ireland ''arrested'' a chihuahua in the early hours of Wednesday (19 April) morning after discovering him walking alone in Lurgan, County Armagh.

Officers from PSNI Craigavon found the tiny pet strolling along Ashleigh Crescent near Avenue Road at 3.30am and decided to haul him over.

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In a Facebook post, the force explained that "Nigel" – as they christened him – was a difficult customer and showed open hostility towards his captors.

He reportedly bit two officers after they "arrested" him for jay walking; in a statement he was declared to be decidedly "anti-police".

Thanks to the Facebook post, Nigel's owners identified themselves later on Wednesday and he was returned home.

Officers were disappointed to learn that Nigel's real name is in fact Simba.

The original post read: This is Nigel the chihuahua... We stopped with him at around 3.30am on Ashleigh Crescent whilst on patrol of the Avenue Road area of Lurgan. Nigel didn't want to play ball.

"He was subsequently arrested for jay walking, disorderly behaviour and 2 counts of assault on police. He's got serious anger issues, and bit myself AND Big T.

"Normally I'd make a joke about keeping him as a new PD if no one claims him. Not Nigel. He's an angry wee man and is seriously anti police!

"He wasn't wearing a collar and seemed to be coming from the Avenue Road towards Orient Circle or Carrick Drive.

"Please...find his owner. I like my fingers and don't fancy their chances if he's here another night. He's currently sleeping on my jacket, which I have a feeling he's not going to let me have back...

"By the way, in this photo he's in the drivers seat. MY seat. He chased me out of my own police car!! Angry wee so and so. Of course, the main thing is that Nigel is safe. The roads are no place for a wee lad like him to be wandering at 330am."