Runaway dog, lost in West Island park, reunited with her owner

After spending more than two weeks in a West Island park, scared and alone, Mia the dog has been reunited with her owner.

Stephen Buscemi adopted Mia, a cocker spaniel, from Mascouche 10 months ago.

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While visiting his father in Dollard-des-Ormeaux on May 20, Mia escaped through an open door and into Centennial Park.

Complicating matters was the fact that Mia is a dog that had been rescued and had a history of being abused.

A cat, a raccoon, a skunk andfinally Mia

Buscemi's cousin Lia Caruso was one of the people involved in the rescue effort. She said a trap cage, donated by the SPCA, was instrumental in catching Mia.

A trap cage's doors stay open and are only supposed to close when the animal steps on a pedal inside the cage.

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Mia was caught a few days ago but escaped, Caruso explained. In the interim, members of her search party found a cat, a raccoon and a skunk in the cage but no Mia.

At the suggestion of the people atGerdy's Rescues & Adoptions, they decided to move the cage to a backyard on Lake Road Monday evening.

When Caruso's boyfriend Carlos returned Tuesday morning, he foundMia in the cage.

Community's help played big role

Neighbourhood residents banded together to help find Mia, posting sightings of the dog on a Facebook page.

Caruso said the help they received in tracking Mia's whereabouts was key tofinding her.

Caruso says Mia and Buscemi are together again, and while the dog looked exhausted, she is eating, will get a bathtoday and seems to be fine otherwise.