Bomb dog found in Afghanistan a year after going AWOL during gun battle

Published on Thursday 12 November 2009 13:21

AN Australian military dog has been found a year after disappearing during a gun battle in Afghanistan.

Black Labrador Retriever Sabi went missing during fighting between an Australian-Afghan army patrol and militants in the Uruzgan province in September 2008.

Sabi was recovered this week from an isolated patrol post in Uruzgan by US troops and has now been returned her owners.

The Retriever's disappearance remains a mystery to the Australian military who conducted several searches for the missing dog.

Australian military spokesman Brig. Brian Dawson said:

"What happened to her during the past 14 months will probably never be known, though her being in good condition when she was found indicated somebody had been looking after her."

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who was in the country visiting troops, was photographed with Sabi shortly after her return.

"Sabi is back home in one piece and is a genuinely nice pooch as well," he told a press briefing.