A TIMID dog was reunited with her foster family at the weekend following a 10-day search.

Maggie, a female double dapple brown Dachshund cross had escaped her lead when a loud noise startled her.

The pet, who is part whippet, ran down Luccombe Road towards the Chine and Rylstone Gardens before disappearing out of sight.

Clare Farrelly from Maggie's foster family at the time, said: "My brother contacted Lost Pets Isle of Wight on Facebook and they immediately gave us advice, put the post up and came out with their tracker dogs.

"Most people I met were searching for Maggie, with some flying drones and Suzy from Lost Pets was phoning me with updates —members were even out on Christmas day — but by Boxing Day we had reached the point where hope was running out."

Isle of Wight County Press: The Isle of Wight pet owning community came together to search for Maggie.The Isle of Wight pet owning community came together to search for Maggie.

At lunchtime the following day Clare received the message she'd been waiting for, with Maggie spotted hiding under a bush.

Local resident Anne Marie Pugh, 83, had freed the dog from where the remains of her lead had become tangled and was sat in the bush holding her to keep her safe.

Clare added: "The following day we called on Anne Marie to thank her for rescuing Maggie. We were shocked to hear from her husband that she had spent seven hours at the hospital shortly afterwards.

"Anne Marie is nearly 83 and the bush is on a steep embankment, yet despite her age and the difficult situation, she took the decision to try and get Maggie herself.

"She is a true hero who put a poor defenceless animal's needs way before her own."

Maggie is currently back with her owner Nicki, an ex veterinary nurse, while she recuperates.