Dog plucked from ocean after three weeks at sea

A dog that is believed to have spent three weeks at sea was rescued by the Japanese coastguard 1.1 miles from the coast of Kesennuma in north-eastern Japan.

The dog, which was believed to have been swept out to see by the March 11 tsunami, had taken refuge on the roof of a house. The animal initially resisted rescuers but was eventually caught, bundled up in a blanket and taken aboard a rescue boat – where it finally warmed to the first humans it would have seen in three weeks.

With no identity tags, authorities are hoping that an owner comes forward.