A lost dog was rescued from mudflats and lured back to safety after a rescue team dangled a sausage from a drone.<br /><br />Millie, a three-year-old Jack Russell, went missing in reed beds near Emsworth, Hampshire, on January 13.<br /><br />She was spotted in a dangerous area of mudflats and was in danger of drowning.<br /><br />But every time members of the coastguard, fire service, police, and volunteer rescue team - some in kayaks - tried to reach the pooch, they were unsuccessful.<br /><br />On day three on the rescue mission, Denmead Drone Search and Rescue Group had the genius idea of hanging a sausage from a drone.<br /><br />They flew in close to Millie, and lured the pet off dangerous territory and back to safety.<br /><br />Millie's owner Emma Oakes was relieved to be reunited with Millie, who slipped the lead during a walk and ran off.<br /><br />Denmead Drone Search and Rescue Group was formed three years ago to help missing pets and people.<br /><br />A spokesperson for the group said: "After employing the expertise of some locals, we were told if Millie wasn't moved within a few hours she would have been cut off, and the area she was in underwater, with drowning highly likely. <br /><br />"We had to think fast.<br /><br />"One of our fully qualified drone pilots suggested attaching food to the drone, to try and lure her out of the danger area. <br /><br />"After checking CAA regulations, and the maximum take-off weight of the drone we had 6oz to play with, so we attached a 2 oz sausage to the drone. <br /><br />"We did a risk assessment on the area, and then flew the drone out to her. We didn't think it would work, but it did."
