A social media hashtag campaign #SaveBella has been started to spare a dog from being euthanized and buried with its owner, as requested in her will.
Connie Lay, of Aurora, Indiana, died on Nov. 25 and her attorney Doug Denmure revealed Lay requested in her will that her dog Bela be euthanized, cremated and the remains buried with her,
according to Cincinnati's WCPO-TV. Another option was for Bella to be sent to an animal shelter in Utah.
The dog is still alive, noted the television station, and now the Utah shelter is encouraging people to use the #SaveBella hashtag on social media to show their support. Twitter responded with numerous tweets about saving the dog.
"(Lay) made provisions that in the event of her death, she wanted her very close friend to take charge of the dog," said Denmure. "…She also then requested that the dog be put to sleep, cremated and that the dog's ashes be placed with her own ashes."
Denmure told the television station that Bela had a history of aggressive behavior and Lay didn't trust the dog, which is currently being housed at PAWS of Dearborn County Humane Center in Lawrenceburg, Indiana.
"He could cause damage and inflict bodily harm on strangers, in particular, children," Denmure told WCPO-TV. "When (Lay) died, she died at her home and the dog was in there. No one could enter the house because they were concerned the dog would attack."
Best Friends Animal Society in Utah told
WXIX-TV that Bela's fate depends on Lay's estate, but it wants the dog.
"We want to save Bela's life and bring him to our sanctuary, but the decision to send him to us or have him put down and cremated is out of our hands," the shelter said in a statement. "The decision needs to be made by the person designated in Ms. Ley's will and we are hopeful that she will agree. Please be patient as we educate her about Best Friends life-saving mission and demonstrate that Bela will be in good hands."
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