January 14, 2020 11.42 am This story is over 50 months old

Over 100k people want tougher sentences after attempted dog drowning

Bella the Belgian Shepard had a rock tied to her lead and was dumped in the river
Pictures of the woman who saved the dog went viral on social media.

Over 100,000 people have called for tougher sentences in the wake of an attempted dog drowning near Lincoln.

Bella the Belgian Shepherd was tied to a heavy rock and thrown into the River Trent in Newark before a passer-by pulled her to safety on Monday, January 6.

Nottinghamshire Police arrested and released a 31-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man on suspicion of animal cruelty offences.

A petition demanding “Justice for Bella!” has now passed 100,000 signatures and the organiser plans on taking it to the Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Shena Louise said she was “very happy” the petition had reached the target and added that the support “shows how strongly we feel about cruelty to animals.”

Bella is now recovering. Photo: Newark Police

The police condemned the people responsible for the “evil and nasty” way in which Bella was left to die.

On the petition, Shena wrote: “We, the undersigned are sick to death of the pathetic sentences handed out to animal abusers.

“There is no deterrent for people who treat animals in the most despicable manner. We want the laws to be tougher.

“We also want jail sentences for people who think it’s okay to abuse animals.”

This was the stone.

The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill introduced last year raised the maximum jail sentence for animal abuse from six months to five years.

It stipulates however that people will only get five years for dogfighting, hurting puppies or kittens and failing to look after farm animals.

Officers investigating the crime have appealed for anyone who recognises the dog or saw anything suspicious in the area to come forward.