Pets on the loose are nothing new to police departments, who often get tasked with getting them back home or to the local animal shelter for temporary care.

But Topsham police recently had fun by posting the heart-tugging mug of a puppy on the run on the department’s Facebook page.

The post solicited some hilarious comments and spurred more than 600 shares.

Even standing on her hind feet, she doesn’t quite reach the height chart normally reserved for humans. With paws resting on the officer’s hand she’s looking up at the officer with a look she was sure would get her off the hook.

“Don’t tell ’em nuthin pup!” commented a Facebook follower. “They can’t search your dog house without a warrant. Everyone knows you’ve got a prescription for those treats.”

Topsham police responded: “She was read her Miranda rights, but she still talked … well howled actually. Then I let her out of her cell to walk and water the lawn.”

The post was updated by Sunday because the puppy was returned to her owner.

An officer posted Sunday afternoon that “After working all night, I woke up this afternoon to learn that the cutest arrest we ever had (no offense to anyone else we’ve ever arrested) has been bailed out. The post reached 35,000 people. Thank you all for sharing the post.”

With it, the officer posted the pup’s adorable mug again this time labeled “bailed” in capital letters.

Topsham Police Department’s Facebook page has helped police solve burglaries and thefts by posting photos of suspects, and alerted the public to scams, traffic and road conditions and other public safety issues.

This weekend it helped a furry friend find their way home.

“The picture is a perfect example of police officers using their imagination and resources to help all members of our community,” Topsham Police Chief Christopher Lewis said Monday.

dmoore@timesrecord.com