Rescued Dog Home After Weeks in Storm Drain

Dec 8th 2009

One Utah dog and her family will have a much happier holiday now that the pooch is home, safe and sound.

Millie, an Australian shepherd, disappeared about three weeks ago from her home in Cottonwood Heights. Her owner, Sue Garr, presumed she'd jumped the six-foot fence in their back yard, and told KSL TV, "Our whole family was absolutely sick."

A woman walked by a storm drain about two miles from the Garrs' home and heard a dog barking from within. She called 911, and a scared, skinny, smelly Millie was coaxed out by the police.

When she saw her family, "She went nuts," Garr told KSL TV.

Before her rescue, the freezing temperatures had most people doubting that Millie could have survived, but fortunately, the storm drain was about 10 degrees warmer than the temperature on the street, reports KSL TV. It's assumed Millie survived on storm water and rats, though we're certain she'll be showered with some tastier treats now that she's home.

While Garr said they don't plan to increase the height of their already tall fence, she did tell KSL TF that one change would be made: "She's going to become an indoor dog."