Katrina dog back in New Orleans

Many pets were left stranded in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina

A dog which was parted from its owner during Hurricane Katrina has been returned to New Orleans after a custody fight that went to court.

Rocket, a chow-Finnish spitz mix, had been given up for adoption to a couple in Philadelphia, who renamed him Rusty.

His first owner sued the couple and the kennels that arranged the adoption, but she has now agreed to drop the lawsuit and the dog has been returned to her.

Similar custody disputes over pets have taken place in other states.

Original owner Sheila Combs agreed to drop her lawsuit against Lynne and Joseph Welsh and the kennels that handled the dog before the Welshes adopted him.

The Welshes took in the now two-year-old dog a year ago.

Ms Combs' lawsuit had alleged that Rocket was "wrongfully adopted" after the dog was sent to Pennsylvania following his rescue.

The suit had also claimed that the Welshes reneged on promises to return Rocket.

Similar animal custody battles have cropped up in states including Florida and Maryland over pets left behind during the storm on 29 August 2005.