Miracle dog's tale of survival

IN AN amazing tale of survival, Brandi the Catahoula hunting dog spent eight months fending for herself on Woody Island off the coast of Hervey Bay before being rescued and reunited with her family today.

She was spooked by fireworks on New Year’s Eve, broke her chain and sprinted off, running right to the end of the Urangan pier and jumping into the ocean about midnight.

Her family, who were on holidays from Gympie, searched for her but eventually gave her up for dead – they thought she must have drowned or been taken by sharks.

But Brandi survived and Fraser Coast Regional Council officers delivered her back into their loving arms today.