A chocolate lab has found a forever home after North Carolina teenagers set the dog on fire during a live SnapChat video.
After two teenagers from North Carolina set her on fire, a chocolate lab named Bella is going to a new home with her forever family. The horrific and graphic video showed one teenage girl using an aerosol can and a lighter to set the dog on fire with a caption reading: “She burnt the dog.”
Luckily, Bella got away with just singed fur. This does not account for the emotional stress and trauma she endured at the hands of these two troubled teenagers. For over two months after the incident, Bella did not trust humans.
According to Tammy Graves of the Haley Graves Foundation:
“She was withdrawn and confused. She didn’t understand what had happened to her.”
Tammy used her experience to work with Bella on regaining her trust in humans and forgetting the trauma she encountered during the terrible video.
After numerous calls to the Guilford County Sherriff’s office from concerned residents demanding charges against these girls, the teen that actually shot flames at the dog is facing charges of animal cruelty.
According to Dr. Oliver, the veterinarian who treated Bella after the incident, “she could have easily been engulfed in flames.” Hair – including pet dander – is extremely flammable, so poor Bella barely escaped serious injuries following the incident.
Of course, there are two sides to every story. When Fox8 visited the teenager to try to get her side of the story, neither the girl nor her parents came to the door.
Although the teenager is facing charges of animal cruelty, it is unclear what the verdict will be. With the young age of the teenagers and the seriousness of the crime, no one wants to rush the charges.
Some parents from around the community gave their opinions on what they the consequences should be.
Jessica Harman of Guilford County stated:
“Maybe she should have to work at an animal shelter taking care of other animals.”
Tim Brooks, also of Guildford County, added that the girls should receive “some kind of community service. I don’t think any jail time or anything like that.”
After Bella’s story went viral, 24 families came forward to volunteer to take her in.
After much deliberation, Tammy Graves chose a family she felt had Bella’s best interests in mind and would give her exactly what she needs: a forever home.
With her new family, hopes are that Bella will continue to gain her trust back while forgetting these traumatizing events. She will continue to receive professional training to help with any trauma she may have.
Animal cruelty is on the rise around the United States.
Bella’s story, although horrific and devastating, is not the only story of animal cruelty in the headlines. As of Oct. 23, a man in Madison Heights, Michigan, faces charges of animal cruelty after with more than 60 cats inside his home, all of which were hungry, covered in fleas, and surrounded by feces. Many of these cats were deceased.
These stories are a reminder that animal cruelty is a huge problem.
If you ever witness animal abuse or cruelty, it’s important that you contact your local police department immediately. Not all stories end as happily as Bella’s, unfortunately, but with a little awareness, we can make sure that more do.
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