A German Shepherd named Bella, who faced a near-drowning by her owners, has finally found a new home after months of recovery at an animal center. In January of the previous year, 11-year-old Bella was rescued from the River Trent, where her owners had attempted to end her life by chaining her to a boulder and throwing her into the river.
After 15 months of rehabilitation with the RSPCA, Bella has now been adopted by Maggie Mellish, 79, and Charlie Douglas, 70, in South Derbyshire, thanks to a TV advertisement.
Charlie expressed their horror at what happened to Bella and mentioned that upon meeting her, they realized what a great personality she has, describing her as a perfect match for them.
Bella, who was fortunate to survive the ordeal, faced complex health needs. Her former owner, Charlene Latham, was sentenced to a 12-month community order and fined after pleading guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to her pet. Bella’s former owner had left her tied to a rock in the River Trent in an attempt to drown her. Despite Latham begging her ex-partner not to harm the dog, no help was sought.
The RSPCA did not have enough evidence to prosecute the ex-partner, Leigh Johnson, who denied the charge. Bella’s recovery and adoption are heartwarming, considering the deliberate attempt to cause her harm.
Maggie and Charlie, who had lost their rescue dog Tia/Luna two years ago, saw Bella’s story in the press and decided to apply to adopt her. Despite Bella’s age and underlying health conditions, they were willing to provide her with the loving home she deserved.
The couple visited Bella at the animal center before she moved in with them, accompanied by her rescuers, Jane and Joanne Bellamy. Jane, one of Bella’s rescuers, expressed emotion at seeing Bella again but was thrilled to witness her transformation and rehabilitation.
Ella Carpenter, the manager at Radcliffe Animal Centre, described the incident as a deliberate attempt to drown Bella, emphasizing her remarkable recovery and strength. The story, from a sad beginning to a happy ending, highlights the resilience of animals and the importance of providing them with loving homes.
The adoption of Bella marks a perfect conclusion to a story that started with a traumatic incident, showcasing the transformative power of care, rehabilitation, and the resilience of animals like Bella.
