PREVIEW

A dog that was repeatedly struck with a hammer and left severely underweight in a cramped cage is “loving life” in her new home after a passerby stepped in to save her.

Bella, a brindle Staffordshire bull terrier-cross, was bought by a concerned man who discovered her in March 2024 at a house in Leicester. The dog’s former owner told him ‘she just won’t die’ when asked why Bella looked so ill.

The dog had been kept in a cage so small she could not stand. Her ribs and skull were fractured on at least three separate occasions and she had not been fed for a week. The rescuer paid for Bella and took her straight to the PDSA pet hospital in Leicester.

Further X‑rays at the RSPCA’s Newbrook Animal Hospital in Birmingham revealed two fractures to Bella’s head and broken ribs sustained at different times. Vets said the injuries were consistent with blunt‑force trauma.

The evidence enabled RSPCA deputy chief inspector Karl Marston to launch a cruelty investigation. He interviewed Bella’s former owner, who admitted causing some accidental injury and failing to seek veterinary care but denied deliberate violence.

When the case reached Leicester Magistrates’ Court, the man pleaded guilty to three Animal Welfare Act offences, including causing unnecessary suffering through blunt‑force trauma. He later told probation officers he had thrown a hammer at Bella on two occasions.

The judge said the intent and resulting injuries were the same whether the hammer was thrown or wielded directly, sentencing the man to 10 months in prison and banning him from keeping animals for life.

Marston said: “Bella was in a terrible state when she was rescued and I dread to think what would have happened without her rescuer’s interventions – it was a really selfless act to purchase Bella and rush her for treatment and I am so grateful to him.”

After emergency care, a careful feeding regime and pain relief, Bella began to recover. Her rescuer passed her to a family friend who could devote more time to her rehabilitation.

Bella now lives with NHS worker Carol Wood, 60, and her son Chris, 22, in Leicester.
Wood said: “My son wanted a pet and we knew about Bella’s rescue and her new owner suggested we could take her on as we would have more time to dedicate to caring for her. We brought her home in June and she was a bit nervous at first but she settled very quickly. Now she loves cuddles and will often sleep on one of our beds – one of us usually wakes up with a dead arm or leg!

“She loves playing and will pinch items of clothing from upstairs and bring them to us – so we have taught her to drop them by the washing machine now. She is so bright and learning really well.

“She is very loving and really she brightens up the whole house. Chris says when he gets up in the morning he is inspired by her happy face – we are just so thrilled to have her – she gives us so much joy. He has struggled with his mental health but having Bella has improved that.

“We knew about her ill‑treatment but she can put all that behind her now.

“She still doesn’t like loud noises and hates the vacuum cleaner but she seems to take everything else in her stride. Strangely she hates the rain – but she loves a warm bath so will jump in there no problem.

“There are so many dogs in need we would always advocate that people adopt rescue dogs and help transform their lives – we have done this with Bella and in return she has transformed ours.”

The RSPCA is highlighting Bella’s story as part of its Summer Cruelty Campaign. The charity says it receives a report of cruelty every two minute
s during the summer – a 33 % rise on the rest of the year.

Marston added: “I would urge people to support the RSPCA’s Summer Cruelty Campaign to help us save more pets like Bella who are now suffering from such horrendous cruelty.”