Two dogs spooked by a wasp attack have been reunited with their owners thanks to an eagle-eyed waka ama crew and the power of microchips.
Two Huntly dogs found themselves stranded recently on a sandbank in the Waikato River after being attacked by wasps.
In a panic, the dogs ran off to escape the swarm and became separated from their owner. At the end of their mad dash, they found themselves stuck on the sandbank.
Fortunately, a local man spotted them and enlisted the help of a waka ama group – Waahi Waka. Together, they quickly launched a rescue operation, ferrying the dogs back to safety in one of their waka.
The group contacted Waikato District Council animal control team, who were able to get the dogs vet assistance for their stings.
Thankfully, the dogs were microchipped, which also allowed the team to swiftly reunite the dogs with their owner.
"Stories like this show the power of the community coming together to help animals," says Council’s Animal Education and Engagement Officer Zoey Jackson, “We are so grateful to Waahi Waka for rescuing the dogs, who could have ended up in quite a predicament had they not been there.
"It's also a great reminder of how important microchipping is. Unexpected situations can cause pets to get lost, and microchips are the best tool we have to make sure you can be reunited with your pet."
