Israeli Family Reunites With Dog Abducted During Hamas Attack
In a rare moment of light amid the darkness of war, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Billy has been reunited with her family in Kibbutz Nir Oz in april 2025, nearly 18 months after she was abducted during the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack.
Billy belonged to Rachel Dancyg, whose family was devastated by the assault—her ex-husband Alex Dancyg and brother Itzik Elgarat were both kidnapped and later killed in Gaza. When Hamas militants stormed the kibbutz, Rachel and her granddaughters took shelter in a safe room, but Billy was left behind in the chaos. For months, the family feared she had been killed, like many other pets in the community.
But in April 2025, Israeli reservist Aviad Shapira discovered Billy in the ruins of Rafah, in southern Gaza. “She looked me in the eye, and I said ‘Shalom’,” Shapira recalled. “She jumped onto me, and I knew—she’s coming back to Israel with me.”
After caring for Billy for several days, Shapira brought her to a veterinarian, where her microchip confirmed her identity. The emotional reunion was captured on video, showing Billy trotting toward Rachel, who cradled her in disbelief.
“My brother didn’t come back. Alex didn’t come back. But this little dog survived,” Rachel said, holding Billy on her lap.
The family expressed deep gratitude to the Golani Brigade and all IDF soldiers involved, calling Billy’s return “a light amid the great darkness.”
