Dog pulled out of storm drain nearly a month after disappearing from her home

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - A dog missing for nearly a month is back home with her family after she was rescued from a San Diego storm drain.

Teddy, a 7-year-old maltipoo, is back home after nearly a month missing. Around noon Monday, barking led San Diego County Animal Services officers to a storm drain. Officers pulled up a manhole cover, shined a light and found Teddy looking up at them.

County Animal Services Officer Britney Myers was part of the three-person team that made the rescue.

“We have little straps on the back of our vests. My lieutenant hung onto me, so I could drop down into the hole,” Myers said.

She coaxed Teddy with treats before lifting her out.

“It reminded me this is why I do this. It was amazing,” Myers said.

Shortly after the rescue, Teddy’s owners, Daniela Chavez and her mother, were reunited with their dog. Chavez described the moment she held Teddy for the first time in weeks.

“I just bawled my eyes out like crazy,” she said. “She was looking very skinny. She’s got some injuries on her paws, but she’s got some ointment, which is why she’s wearing her socks.”

Teddy disappeared July 23 after a side gate was left unlocked while it was being repaired. Her family hung posters all over the area as part of an exhaustive search.

“Felt like I had lost my best friend,” Chavez said.

She says she had just begun to lose hope when Teddy was found just blocks from home. It’s unclear how long the dog had been stuck in the storm drain. While there may have been food and water sources down there, it’s likely any barking would have drawn the attention of neighbors soon after she fell in.

“I’m hoping she wasn’t in there the entire time,” Chavez said. “I’m so proud of her. She’s the bravest girl I’ve met. Just proud of her and glad she’s home… and just so grateful they rescued her.”