Puppy lost at sea for five weeks found by US Navy

'After a week, we considered her lost at sea and presumed dead'

Conner Lamb embracing Luna in California (AP)

The US Navy has found a puppy that was lost at sea for five weeks.

Luna, an 18-month-old German Shepherd, fell off a fishing boat on 10 February near San Clemente Island, an auxiliary naval airfield 70 miles from San Diego. She had been on the boat with her owner Nick Hayworth.

The dog was finally found on Tuesday and reunited with her family at Naval Base Coronado in California on Wednesday.

US Navy officials, based at the Naval Auxiliary Landing Field San Clemente Island (SCI), were first informed that Luna was missing by Mr Hayworth.

He warned them the dog may try to swim to the shore, NBC San Diego reported.

“He told us Luna was a very powerful swimmer and that he was 90 per cent sure she’d head for shore,” said Sandy DeMunnik, the public affairs officer for Naval Base Coronado.

“So our staff searched the island, but with no luck,” he told ABC news. “[Mr Hayworth] stayed in the area for two more days to look for her, and after a week, we considered her lost at sea and presumed dead.”

But on Tuesday, Luna was spotted sitting on the side of a road on the island by SCI staff.

Officials said although Luna was undernourished, she was in “good spirits”.

She was picked up by family friend Conner Lamb on Wednesday because Mr Hayworth was away for work.

Commenting on hearing the news that Luna has been found, Mr Lamb said: “It’s just really mind blowing to tell you the truth. When I got the call this happened, [I] never even thought this would be possible.”