A dog who went missing more than a year ago has been reunited with her owners after being rescued from peril during a cockfighting bust in South Carolina. April Morris of Bennettsville thought she’d never see her beloved pit bull, Nina Louise, again after she went astray in December 2013. Months of searching and a $500 cash reward proved fruitless. But this past Saturday she couldn't believe her eyes when she saw footage of the malnourished pup's heartbreaking rescue on local news. She was even more surprised when the bulletin revealed the whimpering canine had just given birth to ten pups. Morris called the local Humane Society to claim the pit bull and identified her by detailing two white spots in the fur behind her head. The emotional reunion was caught on camera, with Nina Louise happily greeting Morris and her husband. The emaciated pit bull appeared to be in bad shape, with ribs showing and scars on her body, but her family is just happy their pet is alive. Sorry state: A dog who went missing more than a year ago has been reunited with her owners after being rescued from peril during a cockfighting bust in South Carolina (above) Missing: April Morris of Bennettsville, thought she’d never see her beloved pit bull, Nina Louise, (above) again after she went astray in December 2013 - months of searching and a $500 cash reward proved fruitless . But this past Saturday she couldn't believe her eyes when she saw footage of the pup's rescue on the nightly news - she was even more surprised when the bulletin revealed the canine had just given birth to ten pups . 'It seems so surreal to us. It’s such a miracle to have her back,' Morris told CarolinaLive.com. Nina Louise is now back at home with her family where she is being nursed back to health. Her puppies, who have all found adoptive homes, will remain with her until they have stopped nursing. It's suspected that Nina Louise was used as a bait dog at the cockfighting venue before having her puppies. Along with the pup, 122 birds were also recovered from the compound. Twenty-seven people were reportedly arrested on various charges at the bust and they are now awaiting court hearings. In safe hands: Nina Louise is now back at home with her family where she is being nursed back to health . Brood: Her puppies, who have all found adoptive homes, will remain with her until they have stopped nursing .
April Morris of South Carolina, thought she'd never see her beloved pit bull, Nina Louise, again after she went astray in December 2013 . But this past Saturday she couldn't believe her eyes when she saw footage of the malnourished pup's heartbreaking rescue on the nightly news . Morris called the local Humane Society to claim the pit bull and identified her by detailing two white spots in the fur behind her head . She collected the dog and her ten puppies .