A Suffolk woman who thought she had buried her dog after it ran away following a firework scare was reunited with the animal two days later, after discovering she had actually buried a fox.
Codie Hutton, 26, from Crowfield, lost her nine-year-old springer spaniel Maisie in Melton on Bonfire Night. The dog bolted after a firework went off while they were at Melton Playing Fields. Despite searches, Maisie was not found that night.
Two days later, a body believed to be Maisie's was discovered in Clopton. Miss Hutton and her family buried the animal in their garden, with her three-year-old son Taylen devastated by the loss. However, 48 hours after the burial, fresh sightings of Maisie emerged.
With help from volunteer group Finding Ipswich Dogs Organisation (FIDO) and a team of 20 people, Maisie was found alive in Wickham Market. She had an infection but was otherwise uninjured. Miss Hutton believes the buried animal was a fox.
Miss Hutton expressed shock and joy at the reunion, thanking everyone who helped search. Sam French of FIDO urged people to consider the impact of fireworks on dogs and to post display details on community groups.
