An accused killer and rapist who escaped jail using bedsheets has been busted after a couple’s clever dog spotted him in their garden.

Michael Charles Burham, 34, had escaped from the Warren County Prison in northwest Pennsylvania on 7th July after using bedsheets and a makeshift rope to lower himself to the ground.

The police have said that the “self-taught survivalist” had previous experience as a military reservist.

But he was busted after being spotted by the dog belonging to Ron and Cindy Ecklund, according to local media.

The couple were reportedly sitting outside their home on Saturday afternoon, on 15th July, when their dog, a brown labrador called Tucker suddenly ran off to a creek that runs along their backyard.

When Tucker failed to return, they decided to investigate and spotted the suspect, who allegedly shot and killed 34-year-old Kala Hodgkin in March in Jamestown, New York, and who faces an arrest warrant for rape in New York, which is not far from the Warren County Prison.

Ron quizzed the stranger, who claimed he was camping, according to reports. But Ron was not buying it and told his wife to call the police as they returned to their garden, saying that he had “seen his pictures”.

The police later arrested Burham and praised the couple, who in turn attributed the arrest to their dog Tucker.

Newsflash obtained a statement from the Pennsylvania State Police on 16th July saying: “Michael Burham has been captured. Thank you to all partner agencies and the surrounding community for their assistance and support during this detail.”

The police had previously appealed to the public for their assistance in locating the suspect.

The investigation is ongoing.

Tucker has reportedly been promised a steak dinner by his owners.