#SaveBella: Deceased Dog Owner Wanted Pup Euthanized, Cremated, Ashes Mixed With Hers

Tuesday, December 16, 2014 at 6:28 AM

By Mike Perleberg

Bella the German shepherd could be euthanized and cremated if the wishes of his deceased owner are followed as stated in her will. Photo provided. (Aurora, Ind.) – An Aurora woman’s dying wish is at odds with animal lovers who do not want to see the deceased’s dog euthanized. Connie Lay died recently and has been cremated. In her will, she made a specific provision: her German shepherd Bella be put to sleep, cremated, and the ashes be mixed with hers. It’s an odd request, but one that Aurora attorney Doug Denmure, Lay’s attorney, feels needs to be honored. “She had a right mind when she signed the will,” Denmure, a civil attorney for 48 years, tells Eagle 99.3. “She has entrusted a very close friend to do as asked with the dog.” As of Tuesday afternoon, Bella is being kept at the P.A.W.S. of Dearborn County Humane Center. He was taken there from Lay’s home after his master was found deceased. Contrary to some media reports, Denmure says, a date to euthanize the animal has not been set. With the news spreading, there is a howl from the public to spare the life of a dog that is still healthy. Denmure says his a number of people have called his office asking about ways to keep the dog alive. Those concerned say killing Bella would constitute animal cruelty. The story is even growing on social media, with the hashtag #savebella beginning to trend on Twitter. Much of the outrage has been directed at P.A.W.S. of Dearborn County, which the organization says is undeserved. A statement from P.A.W.S. seeks to clarify the circumstances:

Legally, Bela (sp) is considered the property of the estate of the deceased person and not PAWS Humane Center. He is only being housed and cared for at our Center while legal proceedings with the estate are being finalized.

PAWS has no legal right or control over his outcome. Bela will not be euthanized at our facility, either by PAWS staff or the Dearborn County Animal Control Officers. If a euthanization decision is reached by the estate, then it will be the responsibility of the estate to make those arrangements elsewhere.

We appreciate your care and concern for Bela and all of the animals in Dearborn County.

Lay’s will afforded just two options for her dog, according to the attorney. The first option was to have Bella euthanized. The other option was to see that he is given to the Best Friends Animal Society in Utah. The society runs the largest no-kill animal sanctuary in the country, according to their website. But Denmure said getting Bella there may not be feasible, though he is still working with that aforementioned local friend to make that determination. Adoption to a family, Denmure says, is not on the table. For one year, Lay kept a log of numerous incidents concerning Bella. “It has been a dangerous dog in some respects,” he explains. “The client was concerned about the dog being around other people and not fit to be trusted around children.” Denmure said that in his time writing wills he has seen clients make provisions for the pets. Some owners have allowed them to be given to a shelter for adoption. Others have left behind sums of money to help relatives in taking on the pet. “But this will did not provide that the dog could be adopted out,” he says. Lay’s cousin is the appointed personal representative, or executor, of Lay’s will, according to Denmure.