Dog thought dead in California debris flow reunited with owner

CAMARILLO, Calif. -- A 5-year-old Dachshund believed to have been crushed by the mud and debris that flowed through its Camarillo Springs neighborhood was found alive Sunday morning.

A neighbor spotted the lucky pooch, named Tinkerbell, sitting by a window in her home and notified authorities. Ventura County Fire Department rescued the pet, who was quickly reunited with its loving owner.

"Cheers erupted this morning inside the Ventura County Fire Communications Center upon receiving the report," Ventura County Fire Department wrote on its Facebook page.

Tinkerbell's owner was rescued the day prior after the debris flow filled his house. Firefighters had to use chainsaws to cut open the front door and pull the man out. A neighbor pulled the man's wife out.

Authorities said the mud flow was caused by a clogged drainage canal.