A SMALL white bitch called Forgea has been rescued from a sinking ship off the coast of Hawaii in what has been described as one of most expensive rescues ever.

The dog was spotted on the deck of the ship when it ran aground on a reef on April 2nd.
Kept alive by food and sandwiches dropped by coastguard helicopters, she became the focus of international attention when news of her plight reached America.

Dog lovers including some from Britain mounted a campaign and, with the America Humane Society, raised £20,000 to back the air and sea rescue attempts. After 24 days afloat the bitch was rescued by the crew of tug boat sent to tow the marooned tanker from the reef off Hawaii.