Elderly pit bull Lily is back home after an adventure that left her owners panicked but resulted in the intrepid dog getting hot dogs for dinner.

Owner Ruth-Anne Outerbridge explained that she was cared for by a resident of the Devonshire neighbourhood in which they live. “Lily wandered off the property,” Ms Outerbridge said. “We made the mistake of taking her electric fence collar off because we were with her — and she wandered off.”

Mrs Outerbridge called the dog warden about Lily’s disappearance and because she is a prohibited breed, Ms Outerbridge had additional concerns. Dogs categorised as prohibited are subjected to specific and rigorous restrictions.

“People just have the wrong impression,” said Mrs Outerbridge. “She is the nicest pit bull. She goes on walks in the Arboretum and on the railway trail, and she loves meeting other dogs.” She explained that Lily, who is eight-years-old, is epileptic and on medication which she has to take twice a day. This increased their level of concern still further.

“We spent hours walking around the neighbourhood and driving around looking for her,” said her owner.

She also posted that Lily was missing on Facebook. It read: “MISSING DOG ... licensed 8 year old ginger pit bull, answers to the name of LILY ... last seen at 6pm this evening ... She is VERY friendly, elderly and epileptic. SHE NEEDS MEDICATION 2x A DAY ... her family are anxious to have her back!!”

Ms Outerbridge said: “Facebook is a wonderful way of making people aware of a situation. We had 250 shares of the post!

“People are so caring and so concerned.”

In the end, Lily was retrieved the old fashioned way — a telephone call to Endsmeet Animal Hospital revealed her whereabouts, as her rescuer had informed the veterinarians that she had the dog with her.

“She spent the night on the bed, and had hot dogs for dinner!”

A Facebook posting also spread the word of Lily’s safe return. A total of 117 people “liked” the message that: “LILY HAS BEEN FOUND!!!

“She spent the night down the road on a nice lady’s bed and had hot dogs for dinner!!! Heart emoticon.”

Among the comments were: “I can’t tell you how thrilled I am for you all!” while another friend wrote: “So pleased for you to have her back safe and sound.”

Fellow searchers Christina Frith and Michelle Rafferty were having a celebratory cup of tea with Ms Outerbridge while the relieved owner was talking to The Royal Gazette. Ms Rafferty said she thought Lily would be tired and bedraggled when she returned.

Instead: “She was so happy and rested — as though she had been away on a hot dog holiday!”

Ms Outerbridge added that she is a supporter of a petition to remove pit bulls from the prohibited list and instead placed on the restricted list. “We’re trying to change that rule.”

She has also posted on Facebook about the effort to change the regulations: “I’m signing because we are the owner of a pit bull and she is an absolute darling. Not at all dangerous or aggressive. She is the second one we have had ... and we are heart broken to think she could be our last if Government decides to stick to their current law.”