Neglected dog who chew through leg to escape gets rescued and finds a new loving home

One dog’s heartbreaking story has finally reached a happy ending: a dog who gnawed off her own leg amidst a neglectful home situation was rescued and now has a loving new forever home.

According to Best Friends Animal Society, the dog, named Bella, was left tied up with two steel cables by her owner behind their house in Saginaw, Michigan.

The poor dog was left alone and neglected with no shelter or food: her water ran out, and her food was out of reach. Bella was unable to move due to the cables. Weeks passed with Bella being completely neglected by her owner.

Finally, a concerned person heard Bella’s cries and intervened, but found a grim sight: the dog was malnourished and dehydrated, and sadly had chewed off her back leg in a desperate attempt at freedom.

“Walking into the backyard and seeing Bella in such distress that day was unimaginably gut-wrenching,” Desiree, a Saginaw County Animal Care and Control officer, recalled.

Vets took care of Bella, and Best Friends says that despite everything, the poor neglected dog kept a positive attitude and wagged her tail.

Bella’s owner was eventually found and charges were pressed. But more importantly, Bella was safe: the owner signed over custody to the shelter, and Bella started to look forward to a new, better life. She also adjusted well to life on three feet.

After some time at the Saginaw County Animal Care and Control, a request was sent to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary to take in Bella to provide the care she needed. While transporting her from Michigan to Utah was no easy job, Bella’s story won the hearts of many supporters who helped sponsor the trip.

According to the press release, Desiree and colleague Abbe Balderstone offered to make the three-day trip, setting off in January. “She was the best travel companion,” Desiree said of Bella.

Bella was received with a warm greeting from Best Friends and quickly settled in to her new surroundings. “After everything Bella’s been through, for her to be so comfortable, she really embodies the resiliency of dogs,” said sanctuary director Ali Waszmer.

And thankfully, Bella’s story now has an even happier ending.

According to People, Kim Diehl and Jason Reding of Rockport, Illinois visited Best Friends in February, looking to adopt a new dog after the death of their senior rescue pit bull.

As soon as they met Bella, they knew she was the one.

Bella just has an irresistible face. It was love at first sight,” Kim said, according to People. “We brought her to stay with us at the sanctuary’s onsite cottages for a week. She’s so energetic and has such a bubbly personality. We grew to love her even more.” 

After hitting it off, the couple adopted Bella for good, and drove her to her new home. Bella is reportedly settling in well, and is now living the good life.

“Her back story is very sad, and it’s too bad that she had to go through that, but we intend to make up for all of that,” Kim said. “We intend to spoil her rotten.”