Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/woman-tried-drown-dog-rock-river/
It is downright vile to think that anyone could have it in their hearts to hurt an animal. But the only thing worse than someone trying to harm an animal is when they are able to avoid proper prosecution for their crimes.
One woman who tried to drown her senior dog with a heavy rock has been spared doing time in prison.
32-year-old mother of two, Charlene Latham, from Nottinghamshire, England, tried to kill her beautiful Belgian Shepherd named Bella by tying a large rock to her leash and then dumping the dog into a river.
The poor dog would have died, had she not been found in time by Jane Harper who was passing by the River Trent when she stumbled upon the dog in the water.
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Luckily for Bella, she was saved from the frigid waters just in time by Jane Harper who happened to be walking by and noticed the dog. According to a post by Supporting Wildlife, Harper immediately called for help and while Bella was at the vet, her microchip was scanned and they were able to pin Latham as the owner.
Latham pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to an animal, and she was given a 12-month community order instead of going to prison. Additionally, she was fined £80, ordered to pay £200 costs, forced to pay a £32 victim surcharge, and not allowed to own any dogs for three years.
According to the Birmingham Live, a vet explained in court that when 11-year-old Bella was found she was “in a suffering state” as she was “severely hypoglycemic, hypothermic and tremmering to the point where she could not stand.” The vet further added that had she not been found and brought in when she was, it was almost certain that she would have died.
Bella was taken to the Radcliffe Animal Centre where she could recover and work on finding a home to live out the rest of her days. The manager at Radcliffe Animal Centre, Ella Carpenter, stated that they are now on the lookout for a forever home for the sweet animal. According to the outlet, she said that, “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.”
What a brave dog. She certainly didn’t deserve the horrific experience that her former owner put her through, but we’re so glad she’s in a better place!
Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog
