Pit Bull Kidnapped In 2013 Miraculously Comes Home ​—​ With 10 Puppies

Fed nothing but chicken feed and held captive for more than a year, a resilient pit bull has finally been rescued from kidnappers and returned home to her family.

Nina Louise was stolen in December of 2013 from the front yard of Northam and April Morris's home in Bennettsville, South Carolina, reports local news station WBTW 13. The family couldn't believe their eyes when, watching the nightly news, they saw footage of the bone-thin dog being rescued on Saturday from a massive cockfighting bust in Marlboro County, South Carolina - along with her 10 tiny puppies.

While rescuing more than 100 suffering roosters and a single duck, heroic humans from Carolina Waterfowl Rescue worked quickly to feed and comfort Nina Louise and her new puppies.

Nina Louise also got a long and well-earned hug.

"It seems so surreal to us," April Morris told local news. "It's such a miracle to have her back." She added that Nina Louise may have been used as a bait dog for dog fighting while she was kidnapped.

The Morris family, now temporarily 11 pit bulls bigger, will host Nina Louise's adorable puppies until they're ready to transition to loving families of their own.

Learn how you can help the other animals rescued in the cockfighting bust here.