January 7, 2020 9.31 am This story is over 49 months old

Second person arrested after attempted dog drowning near Lincoln

Pictures of the hero who saved Bella have gone viral

A man and a woman have been arrested after a dog was found drowning in the River Trent with a rock tied to its neck.

Nottinghamshire Police condemned the people responsible for the “evil and nasty” way in which the Belgian Shepherd was left to die.

The force has arrested a 31-year-old woman and 32-year-old man on suspicion of animal cruelty offences.

This was the stone.

A passer-by spotted the dog, who was registered as Bella in 2010, in Farndon in Newark on Monday at around 8.45am before dragging her to safety.

Pictures of a woman, believed to be the hero who pulled Bella to safety, have since gone viral on Facebook.

The dog has now been videoed eating at a local vet but was found with a carrier bag tied to her lead with a large rock inside.

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

PC Adam Pace said: “Whilst the dog is still quite poorly she has been showing some encouraging signs by eating so hopefully she will be on the mend.

Bella is now recovering. Photo: Newark Police

“This was an evil and nasty thing to do to this poor dog and we are making every effort to find out who is responsible.

“If anyone has dash-cam or CCTV footage of vehicles in Long Lane that may show who was in the area at the time that would be really helpful.”

Anyone who can help the police with the investigating has been urged to call 101 and quote incident number 103 of January 6.