Tiny dog survived for two weeks stuck down a rabbit hole in Formby

Giorgio Lamola and Indy back together

A tiny dog survived for two weeks trapped down a rabbit hole by eating slugs and drinking rain.

Three-year-old Yorkshire Terrier named Indy chased a bunny down the burrow while being walked by owner Giorgio Lamola, 50.

But the pooch became wedged in the tunnel and could not wriggle free.

She was missing for two weeks before being sniffed out by another dog whose owner reunited Indy with Mr Lamola, of Roesmary Lane, Formby.

The businessman, who runs the Gusto Trattoria Italian restaurant in Southport, said: “It’s a miracle Indy is still alive.”

Mr Lamola was walking the miniature mutt on National Trust land off Larkhill Lane in Formby when she ran after a rabbit and vanished.

A frantic search followed and worried residents even formed search parties.

Mr Lamola said: “We were out picking blackberries and Indy was off the lead because she is well trained and usually comes straight away when you call her.

“We went down a narrow path, she saw something – probably a rabbit, got excited and then was gone.

“She disappeared at about 4pm and I stayed out until midnight that night looking for her.

“We thought she must have either been stolen or was trapped or injured somewhere.”

The married dad of one put up posters across Formby and appeals were made on Facebook and in newspapers.

But search parties could find no trace of the beloved pet.

“We offered a £500 reward,” Mr Lamola said. “Everyone was out looking for her and I am really grateful to the whole community for helping me.”

One night – two weeks after Indy vanished without a trace – Mr Lamola got a phone call from a fellow dog owner.

“I got a call from a guy who said ‘I think I have found Indy’.

“I said ‘are you sure?’ and he described her collar so I knew it was her and I went straight round to collect her.”

Indy lost more than a quarter of her weight while trapped down the rabbit hole and her eyes became badly infected.

The vet who examined her afterwards said she could only have survived by eating insects such as slugs.

Mr Lamola said: “I didn’t know how she could still be alive after all that time. It’s a miracle.

“I was praying she would be found but as time went by I became more and more concerned.

“We are over-joyed as a family to have her back.”