Dog trapped for eight weeks without food

A 16-year-old labrador survived eight weeks with no food trapped in an abandoned tunnel house in the Southland town of Riverton.

Gail was able to survive by using her own body fat and getting water from a hole in the roof, the Southland Times reported.

The family pet was found by a neighbour in an unused tunnel house - or plastic greenhouse - across the road from the owner's property.

Riverton man Lou Peterson said there were tears of joy when Gail walked up their driveway on Tuesday.

- NZPA