Key Takeaways
- A family in Tasmania has been reunited with their dog, Lucy, after she went missing in March 2022
- Lucy was found living rough near the small town of Murdunna, about 60 kilometers east of Hobart
- The dog was identified through a microchip scan after being caught by a pet catcher on Christmas Day
- Lucy had lost a significant amount of weight and was covered in ticks and fleas, but is otherwise physically fine
- The family is grateful to the Murdunna community for their efforts in assisting Lucy and is prepared for a long journey to recovery
Introduction to the Story
Depha Miedecke was spending her Christmas Eve wrapping presents and listening to carols when she stumbled upon a photo that would change her holiday season. The image was a blurry shot of a black and brown dog that had been living rough for months near the small town of Murdunna in Tasmania’s south-east. Ms Miedecke instantly thought the dog looked like a skinnier version of her own dog, Lucy, which had vanished from the garden of her West Hobart home in March 2022. This sparked a chain of events that would ultimately lead to a joyful reunion.
The Disappearance of Lucy
Lucy is a kelpie crossed with a blue heeler who became part of Ms Miedecke’s family as a puppy in 2018. When she disappeared, the family suspected she had been stolen, as there was no way for her to escape the yard, and an unknown man had been loitering in the neighborhood. The family put up posters, registered Lucy as a lost pet, and contacted the local councils and RSPCA, but no information ever came forward. Ms Miedecke said it felt "terrible" and she often stayed up late wondering what had happened to Lucy, but she never gave up hope that they would find her one day.
The Discovery of Lucy
Residents near Murdunna started noticing a wild dog wandering the bush around April 2025. The dog appeared to be sleeping near the Arthur Highway and was spotted in various locations between Murdunna and Dunalley, another small town. Some locals occasionally let the dog sleep in their shed or left her food, but she ran away as soon as they approached. Lisa Green, a pet catcher, was hired by Murdunna locals to catch the dog in late December due to concerns for the dog’s welfare and fears it could cause an accident if it wandered onto the road. On Christmas Eve, Ms Green set up a humane trap near the highway, which included roast chicken, stuffing, fresh water, and a bed.
The Reunion
The dog was eventually caught overnight on Christmas Day and was collected by Ms Miedecke and her daughter Freya Hansen on Boxing Day. When they arrived, Lucy was trembling with fear, but as soon as the microchip scan confirmed her identity, the family was overjoyed. Ms Miedecke said it was "just amazing — we all burst into tears" and that it felt "like a Christmas miracle." The family took Lucy to the vet to be checked up, and it was found that she had lost about 13 to 14 kilograms since she went missing in 2022. Lucy was covered in ticks and fleas but was otherwise physically fine.
The Road to Recovery
The family is now preparing for a long journey to recovery for Lucy. Freya said that Lucy is "definitely very shaken" after being alone in the bush for a long time, but they believe she remembers them and knows she is home and safe now. The family is grateful to the Murdunna community for their efforts in assisting Lucy over the past few months and for contacting Ms Green, which ultimately led to their reunion. As Lucy adjusts to life back at home in West Hobart, the family is happy to have her back and is looking forward to helping her recover from her ordeal.