A small poodle that had been missing for more than a month was reunited with its owner after being rescued from a storm drain in Spring Valley Monday, officials said.
County Animal Services officers were notified that a small dog that had fallen into a storm drain on Felicita Avenue near Kempton Street and was unable to climb out, said county spokesperson Sir Milo Loftin.
A video posted by county officials shows an animal control officer enter the storm drain and use treats to coax the dog close. The officer then grabbed her and lifted her out to the street.
The dog was taken to county’s Bonita animal shelter to be cleaned, fed and vaccinated, according to officials.
“Shelter staff said she appeared underweight, very hungry and had a dirty coat, suggesting she may have been lost for some time,” Loftin said.
Later that same day, a woman arrived at the Bonita shelter to report that her dog, Teddy, had been missing for more than a month. She told shelter staff her family had been searching for the dog for weeks, putting up posters, driving around the neighborhood and working with local dog rescuers.
Once they heard more details about the woman’s missing dog, shelter staff realized that the dog pulled from the storm drain was Teddy.
The dog’s attitude, when she eventually laid eyes on her owner again, changed from withdrawn to wagging her tail and howling with joy, Loftin said.