Two English ladies were walking near a river when they heard some splashing and whining. They scanned the riverside and discovered Bella, a German Shepherd, struggling to stay afloat. The good-hearted women thought that the dog had fallen in and had somehow gotten stuck.
The ladies waded into the shallow water despite the freezing water and pulled out the drowning pooch. That is when they realized that his leash was tied to a rock. Someone intentionally left the dog in the cold water and wanted her to drown.
After getting the dog out of the water, the Good Samaritans called for help. Rescuers from the Radcliffe Animal Centre in Nottingham quickly came over and took the dog.
Neglected pet
After a thorough examination by a medical team, they found that the ten-year-old German Shepherd had many health conditions. Most of Bella’s problems could have been easily treated if her owner bothered to take her to a vet or given her proper nutrition.
The dog was severely underweight and had multiple skin problems. Her kidneys weren’t functioning well, and her pancreas was bloated. Bella needed a lot of tender and loving care if she was to recover.
The aftermath
With the help and generosity of other dog lovers, the charity rescue group gave Bella all the love and care that she needed. And after a year, the rescue dog fully recovered. She had a complete transformation. Not only was she physically fit again, but she also became more trusting with humans.
Bella learned to be a pet again, and it was time to find her a new home. The rescue group put her up for adoption, and it didn’t take long for a loving family to take her in.
As for her heartless owner, investigators identified her, and she was brought up on charges. She pleaded guilty and was punished with a fine and 12 months of community service. To a lot of animal lovers, the punishment seemed very lax. Many are pushing for stiffer penalties.
Source: RSPCA Radcliffe Animal Centre via Facebook
