Loving new home for dog that was tied to a rock and left to drown
A DOG that was tied to a rock and left to drown in a river has found a new loving home in South Derbyshire.
Bella the Belgian shepherd was rescued from certain death when two dog walkers saw her tied to a large rock submerged in the water in the River Trent near Newark.
She was cared for at the RSPCA staff at Radcliffe Animal Centre in Nottingham while the animal welfare charity and police launched an investigation to find who was responsible following the shocking incident in January, last year.
Bella’s owner, Charlene Latham, 31, of Newark, but living in Ilfracombe, Devon, was sentenced to a 12-month community order last month after she pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering.
She was fined £80, ordered to pay £200 costs and a £32 victim surcharge. She was also disqualified from keeping dogs for three years.
Bella was fortunate to survive her ordeal in the cold water and then it was discovered that she had a range of complex health needs.
But after 15 months of rehabilitation by the RSPCA she was completely transformed and has now found her forever home with Maggie Mellish and Charlie Douglas.
The retired couple, who live in a village in South Derbyshire, are a perfect match for Bella, now aged 11, as they have had shepherd-type dogs before and have the time to give her the love and attention she deserves.
The couple went to enjoy some time with their new pet at the centre which has cared for her before moving in with them on Thursday.
Bella’s rescuers, Jane Harper and her friend Joanne Bellamy, were also invited along to the happy occasion.
Maggie said: “We as a family have had three shepherd-type dogs over the last 30 years and really love them. We lost our rescue dog Tia/Luna two years ago and my daughter’s dog Flame, this year. We did really miss them. Then we saw Bella’s story in the press a few weeks ago and the fact she needed a home so my daughter, Clare Lusher, encouraged us to apply for her.
“We know she will need regular vet appointments and are willing to finance those. We know she is in her older years but we just want to offer her a loving home she so deserves after all she has been through.
“We are both retired so she will have our company constantly, which is what she really needs and it will be great for us too.”
Charlie added: “We were horrified by what happened to Bella and when we came to see her we realised what a great personality she has and she really is perfect for us.”
Jane, who freed Bella from the rock in the river, said: “It is quite emotional seeing Bella as it brings back memories of that terrible day but we are thrilled to see how she has been transformed by staff here at the RSPCA. She looks like a different dog – her coat is beautiful and she looks so happy and full of life. It is great to see how she has been rehabilitated and that she is now going to spend the rest of her days at a loving home. It was so nice to meet Bella’s new owners and we have said we will keep in touch.”
Ella Carpenter, manager at Radcliffe Animal Centre, said: “This is the perfect happy ending to a story which started off so sad and there were real doubts if Bella could pull through after her terrible ordeal.
“At times we thought she just wouldn’t make it, with her age and underlying health conditions all against her. But Bella has fought every day, showing enviable strength and courage, not wanting to give up her fight to recover.
“Our animal care assistant Sophie
Major has worked so hard, as have the rest of the team, and given so much love to Bella to help her and I know she is going to be missed.
“But we know Bella will now be able to live out the rest of her life with the love and respect that she has always deserved.
“Maggie and Charlie really are perfect with their experience of this breed and they are aware of the challenges of her care as an elderly dog but are happy to take her in for however long she has left.”