Can you match the manager with the mutt?

Jose Mourinho's pet dog was on the run in London today, after its master was arrested and received a police caution in a row over its quarantine status.

It is understood that Mourinho dashed away from his club's player-of-the-year awards ceremony in Battersea Park, South London, last night after his wife, Tami, called to say that the dog was being taken away. The Sun newspaper claims that officials wanted to put the dog into quarantine, fearing that it had been taken abroad and back without the necessary injections.

The Chelsea manager insisted today that the Yorkshire terrier has had all the "necessary inoculations".

The Sun reported that Mourinho arrived home to his rented Belgravia house at 9pm to find an animal welfare officer and two police officers. What was reportedly a heated argument ensued, in which tempers became frayed and tears were shed, it said.

Mourinho is alleged to have bundled the dog out of the house, away from police. He was taken to a West London police station and given a caution for obstructing officers.

Today Mourinho's spokesman said: "Jose Mourinho can confirm that he was cautioned by police, and released without charge earlier this morning after an incident involving his pet dog.

"The incident occurred due to a misunderstanding over documents required for veterinary regulations.

"Mr Mourinho would like to make it clear that his pet dog was bought in England from a reputable breeder and has had all its necessary inoculations. Full co-operation will be given to the authorities over any animal health issues."

A Scotland Yard spokesman said that officers went to an address in central London at 7.45pm yesterday with an official from the City of London's animal health and welfare service, to seize a dog in connection with alleged offences under the Animal Health Act of 1981 and the Rabies Order Act of 1974.

The spokesman added that officers discussed the removal of the animal from the address in Belgravia with the owners.

"A 44-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of obstructing police and was taken to a West London police station," the spokesman said. "He subsequently received a caution for obstructing police."

The police officers had accompanied the animal welfare officer to Mr Mourinho's Belgravia address at the request of the City of London animal health and welfare service, the spokesman told Times Online.

"I don't know if it is normal to send officers along on this kind of case, but we do do it for them, just as we accompany bailiffs enacting warrants of the court," said the police spokesman.

"It is always our job to ensure there is no breach of the peace. It's the animal welfare service's job to ensure public health and safety."

The whereabouts of the dog were still unclear this evening. "We are not as far as I'm aware conducting an active search for the dog," said the police spokesman. Westminster City Council later confirmed that its dog warden was searching for Mourinho’s pet, which is believed to be still at large.

Councillor Alan Bradley, cabinet member for street environment, said: "We are concerned for the welfare of any stray animal in a busy area like Westminster. Pets are part of the family for a lot of people and we hope Mr Mourinho’s will be found soon."

Mourinho is preparing for Saturday's FA Cup Final between Chelsea and Manchester United at the new Wembley stadium. Ladbrokes, the bookmaker, said the dog is 100/1 to appear with the Chelsea boss in the dugout at the match.

Under the pet travel scheme, British pets can travel abroad without being put into quarantine on their return only if they are microchipped, vaccinated against rabies and have had a blood test to show that the inoculation has been effective. The pet must also have a valid EU pet passport, or veterinary certificate if they are travelling to a non-EU country.

The rules state that the pet must be given worming and anti-tick treatments between 24 and 48 hours before its return to Britain, and must travel with an authorised transport firm. If the pet has not met any of the requirements, it must spend six months in quarantine.

The travel scheme was introduced after pressure from pet-owners and animal groups, who argued that the quarantine system had caused suffering to animals with almost no cases of rabies being found.