Dog who disappeared on New Year’s Eve found months later on island 3 miles away

Firework displays on New Year’s Eve left a dog so frightened that it fled its home – and was eventually found months later on a remote island three miles away.

The pooch, named Mel, had been left at her home near Itaipuacu Beach in Brazil on the evening of December 31, 2021, but as midnight approached and fireworks were set off the pup became spooked.

Mel fled her home, jumped in the water and swam three miles away to the remote island of Ilhas Maricas (Maricas Islands), just off the coast of Marica, near Rio de Janeiro in south-eastern Brazil.

Now months later the brave pup has been reunited with her owner Cassia Oliveira after fishermen heard her barking on the remote island.

The 38-year-old said: “Mel got lost during the fireworks. Last week we received a message that she had been found by the fisherman.

"We are happy and grateful to everyone who worked to rescue and help our dog."

Manoel Moura, 60 told his colleague he could hear a dog barking, but they did not believe him at first.

Manoel said: "They thought I was mad, but I looked and saw the dog, beneath a cactus.

"Afterwards, my colleague saw it too, but we couldn't get close because it was hiding in the cactus bush, in an area with difficult access.

"As I fish almost every day, I returned and tried to get to the dog, but it headed into the bush. I left food for it and it came.

"That dog swam to the island! This isn't a fisherman's tale."

Manoel finally managed to rescue the pooch with a lifeguard after he called for assistance from Civil Defence.

Mel had to be rushed to a vet once she was found. Vets revealed she had an injured paw and issues with her kidneys due to a lack of water.

Mel had been with Cassia and her family for nine years after they rescued her from the streets.

Cassia was reunited with Mel after spending a few days recovering at the vet's, on Tuesday, 3rd May.

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