Abused dog was saved by 13-year-old, Florida rescue says. Now ‘sweet’ pup has new home
UPDATE: On June 23, a Florida shelter shared the heartwarming news that Arabella the dog got a new home.
The original story is below.
A “sweet” dog is up for adoption after a teen boy saved her from abuse, a Florida shelter said.
“They call my breed vicious…” HALO No-Kill Rescue said in a Facebook post written from the perspective of Arabella the pitbull.
But the shelter said Arabella experienced viciousness at the hand of her former owner. She came to the shelter in June, about four months after Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood reported her harrowing rescue in Deltona.
“At a public gas station, I was beaten with a chain and punched to near death when a 13 year old boy stepped in to save me and almost took one of my hits,” the shelter wrote. “Before my owner drove away with me, deputies arrived.”
Now, the owner accused of “mercilessly beating” Arabella faces five years of prison time. Meanwhile, Arabella was taken to an animal facility and treated for her injuries. She later was transferred to HALO, where she awaits adoption.
“I think that Arabella’s sweet personality — even after the extreme amount of abuse that she... dealt with by humans — is a real testament to the resiliency behind this breed,” Allyson King, director of development for HALO, told McClatchy News in a phone interview.
Arabella is described as a 4-year-old dog who still has some puppy energy. The rescue believes her ideal home wouldn’t have young children due to her excitement during playtime and timid nature, according to an online adoption profile.
“I am initially shy with people, but after a couple visits my walls melt and I am all puppy love and kisses,” the shelter wrote. “I’m actually quite the character!”
As of June 19, Arabella was available for adoption at the shelter in Sebastian, a roughly 90-mile drive southeast from Orlando. More details about the animal organization’s adoption process can be found at halorescuefl.org.
“I am (hopeful) my family will come soon so that the sun can finally set with the past behind me and a future of all sunshine ahead,” the shelter wrote.
This story was originally published June 20, 2024 at 8:44 AM.
