Injured Lahaina dog reunited with owners days after Maui wildfires

A terrified dog that fled during the deadly wildfires in Maui was miraculously reunited with his owners days later — and after the pooch suffered horrific injuries.

Despite burns to his paws, legs, back and body, the rescued canine, Roman, survived the harrowing journey that began last Tuesday when the fast-spreading fires engulfed Lahaina.

The dog sitter watching Roman desperately jumped in the water during the fires, but “Roman ran off terrified down the street,” the Maui Humane Society said in a Facebook post.

Two days later, Roman was found by workers from Goodfellow Bros, a contracting business on the island. He was handed off to a good Samaritan and brought to Ma’alaea harbor before being taken to the Humane Society.

After Roman received medical care at the center, the microchipped dog’s owners were contacted by staff.

“They immediately came to the shelter to take their baby boy home,” the Maui Humane Society wrote. “Roman is now safe and with his ohana [family] and doing well according to his owners.”

The dog was seen with bandages wrapped around his paws, at least one of his legs and about half of his body, according to photos posted by his owner, Nicole Comey, on an Instagram page set up for Roman and his sister Raina.

Comey was off the island during the horrific fires, she wrote on Sunday.

“What is happening here on Maui is unimaginable. I feel so thankful and blessed for the heroes that helped take care of our babies and got them back to us safely.”

“We were off island during this tragedy and we cannot be more grateful for how this community has and continues to step up. Miracles do happen. Don’t lose hope. Lean on each other.”

The resilient Roman, she wrote Monday, is “feeling good & getting my energy back! Mahalo.”

The heartwarming story of survival comes as the Maui Humane Society urges pet owners to contact staff if they’re cat or dog is missing.

In another post, the organization said a cat named Alani reached its facility a few days ago with burns to all of his paws. His mouth was also swollen. 

“Alani is one of the victims of the tragic fires who has stepped foot into Maui Humane Society, we anticipate to receive more and more each day,” it wrote Tuesday. “An estimated 3,000 animals are believed to be displaced. Many of them most likely needing intense medical care, like Alani.”

The death toll from the raging fires is up to 99 with that count expected to rise. More than 1,000 people are still missing. It’s the deadliest wildfire in more than 100 years.

Maui County officials said Monday night local time the fire had ravaged about 2,000 acres. About 85% of the fire in historic Lahaina has been contained, according to officials.