A search and rescue dog that disappeared five days ago is back home after she was spotted by a drone pilot.
Juno, who helps track missing people with Norfolk Lowland Search and Rescue, vanished in Fritton Wood, near Gorleston-on-Sea, on 21 December.
She was found in the same location where she was lost. A large-scale search operation launched on Monday morning.
“I’ve been incredibly emotional,” said owner Ian Danks, who had been out looking for Juno every day.
“She doesn’t look bad, does she? We’ve got lots of leftover turkeys, so she can have that, after a trip to the vets.”
He said he had been “totally humbled” by the help from the community over Christmas.
“I keep on telling people I can’t believe how much people are doing for me and my family, and my dog.
“But she’s not just a dog, she’s a member of Norfolk Lowland Search and Rescue.”
She is missing after she ran into the tall reeds during a family walk after not responding when called by her name.
Many search and rescue teams, including from Kent, Buckinghamshire, and Cambridgeshire, and thermal imaging sensors, high-visibility drones, and a boat were deployed to search her.
Paul Wesley from Suffolk Search and Rescue said he was flying a drone along the bank of the River Waveney when he spotted Juno’s high-visibility jacket.
“There she was – I stopped [the drone] and zoomed in,” he said.
“She was [sitting] up, and looked up at the drone – so I knew she was alive.”
Then a team was sent to rescue her by boat as it was not possible to reach them by foot.
To applause and cheers, she was handed her over for a cuddle with Mr. Danks, who was waiting by the river at St Olaves.
Announcing the news on Facebook, Norfolk Lowland Search and Rescue said Juno was in “good spirits”, had been checked by a vet, and had slightly sore paws.
Source: BBC.com