Dog digs up World War II hand grenade

Dog-owners are used to their pets bringing home small souvenirs, ranging from balls to the odd stick. 

But last week a home-owner in the province of Rome had the fright of her life when a dog left a World War II hand grenade on her doorstep.

According to Il Messaggero, a group of children had been playing outside when the dog made its explosive find.

The puppy, which belonged to one of the children, had run off into the woods, and emerged soon afterwards with a strange object between its jaws.

Fortunately, the children didn't touch it, and the dog deposited its new treasure on the doorstep of the house.

Realizing almost immediately that the object could be a grenade, the woman alerted police, who subsequently called in the army’s bomb squad.

The bomb squad secured the area before removing the grenade. It will now be disposed of in an isolated location.

The grenade, which dates from World War II was perfectly intact with the fuse still attached.

ROMA: ATTIMI DI TERRORE AL PARCO UN CANE TROVA UNA BOMBA A MANO E LA PORTA IN MEZZO AI … – http://t.co/rvwlfw7Rj3 pic.twitter.com/WC6GEwj22V

— Piovegovernoladro (@Piovegovernolad) June 21, 2015