A stolen dog was reunited with her family over a year after she was discovered during a raid on a cockfighting operation in Marlboro Count, South Carolina. Carolina Waterfowl Rescue was one of the groups involved rescuing 120 roosters during the operation on March 29, 2015 that saw 27 people arrested. Among all the birds, they found one emaciated Pit Bull chained outside, with 10 newborn puppies in a makeshift kennel next to her.
It was while watching a newscast of the rescue on TV, that Northam and April Morris were shocked to recognize the dog. It was their Pit Bull, Nina, who had been stolen from their yard in December 2013.
Nina when she was found during the raid. Photo credit: Carolina Waterfowl Rescue / Facebook
On the fateful night she had disappeared, they had let her out for a quick bathroom break and quickly gone to get a cup of tea. When they came to let her back inside a few minutes later, Nina had disappeared.
The couple searched for more than a year, putting up posters, posting on Facebook but they had no news of her until they saw her on television.
Nina’s puppies. Photo credit: Carolina Waterfowl Rescue / Facebook
During the rescue, Amie, a volunteer with Carolina Waterfowl Rescue, gave Nina a hug. The tender moment was caught on camera. They wrote, “Probably the first kindness this dog has seen in a while. She wasn’t getting any food either as evidenced by her body condition.”
Photo credit: Carolina Waterfowl Rescue / Facebook
Marlboro County Humane Society came and picked her up and shortly afterwards, Nina was reunited with her mom and dad.
Note: Click on the image of the video below to start video playback.
Nina and her 10 puppies are now at home. Although Nina is very weak, her family is ecstatic she is alive. “It seems so surreal to us,” April Morris told local news. “It’s such a miracle to have her back.”
April shared more of her family’s thoughts and plans for Nina now that she is safely at home on Facebook:
“Nina had never been on a chain in her entire life. She was raised inside the house as our child. as she was only one and 1/2 yrs old when she disappeared i wasn’t sure if i wanted her to have 1 litter of pups or not. I didn’t want her loving personality to change. Nina did have a collar and a name tag. And was searched for the entire time she was missing as all our friends and families have helped to search as well. Nina will now be microchiped and full vet care. The pups will go to an Adoption agency with strict conditions and guidelines to ensure they live happy well cared for lives and never suffer as my poor Nina has. Nina will be spayed. I cannot thank all the rescue people enough, I cannot Praise God enough. Jennifer Hyduke, Captain Billy Cheeks, all our friends and family, we thank you so much. Nina is home and acts almost as if she never left. She’s right back sleeping at the foot of our bed. Her pups beside her. If she goes outside we are right there with her. As we learned, one quick trip to make a glass of tea can cause unmentionable grief. I just want to thank you all.. Especially Mrs. Starling and her Husband, Thank you. Thank you God!!!!!!”
The family plans on caring for her puppies until they are ready to be adopted and the Marlboro County Humane Society said they already have found homes for the puppies.
Roosters rescued by Carolina Waterfowl Rescue
If you would like to help the many roosters rescued who need medical attention and homes click here and visit the Carolina Waterfowl Rescue website.
Share this amazing reunion with your family and friends who love their dogs!
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