LONDON, Jan. 5 (UPI) -- British singer Lilly Allen has recovered her dog, Maggie May, about a week after the pet was stolen from a van parked in London.
Her friends then met with the man and paid him to return the pet, NME.com reported Friday.
Allen said she was "overjoyed" to be reunited with her dog, which she described as "very thin" and possibly abused since her disappearance Dec. 28.
Animal welfare officials and police have launched an investigation into the dognapping, NME said.
Allen said she was not comfortable with paying Maggie's ransom, but felt it was the only way to get her back.
"These people were obviously in the business of moving dogs," she wrote. "Now I feel guilty for having given these people money and contributing to their cruel business but I love that dog and felt I had no choice."
