WATCH: Layiah is found and reunited with her family

IT was an emotional reunion when Pinetown residents, Wayne Barnard and Nadine van der Merwe found their missing pup, Layiah early this morning.

Their ongoing and desperate search resulted in them finding their dog trapped in a stormwater drain not to far from their home.

The six-year-old Africanis went missing a week ago during the new year’s day celebrations at the couple’s home in Fyfe Place.

During the course of the week the couple has scoured the area, desperate to find their beloved Layiah. They had also sent out dozens of notifications on social media offering a R5000 reward for her safe return. A Facebook page, Bring Home Layiah, was also launched, but they had little luck.

Then, this morning they decided to sweep through a bushed area between the M7 and Millrock Road.

“She had been spotted there last week Sunday, but when the people tried to get her into the car she bolted into the bushes. We had not searched there on foot, and so this morning we decided to go in for our own peace of mind,” said Van der Merwe.

Soon they heard Layiah’s barks responding to their calls.

“We found her trapped in a stormwater drain. We phoned some of the people that were helping us with the search and eventually, with rope and a harness, they were able to lower me down into the drain, and there I saw her waiting for us,” said an elated Van der Merwe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThdU4cv2Shs&feature=youtu.be

“We are amazingly overwhelmed!” Van der Merwe told the Highway Mail this morning.

She said Layiah is in good spirits and was “so happy and excited”. The couple took her home, were she was given some food and water. She has now been taken to the veterinary clinic for a check-up.

“We are overwhelmed by all the support – the positive messages and prayers. All we can say is thank you, but it is really not enough,” said Van der Merwe.

 

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