A family dog has been rescued alive from the rubble of a home nine days after it was destroyed by the deadly Italian earthquake.

The golden retriever, named Romeo, looked thin but otherwise unharmed by his ordeal as he was pulled free by Italian firefighters after apparently spending over a week trapped in the ruins.

His owners believed he had died in the devastating earthquake that flattened homes and businesses in central Italy.

They had returned to the remains of their house to collect some of their belongings when they heard muffled barking.

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The dog was given water and helped to climb down the pile of rubble where he was warmly greeted with strokes and pats.

Romeo ran around wagging his tail and seemed to be in good health.

At least 293 people died when the quake struck in the hilly heart of the country on August 24 destroying towns, villages and hamlets.