Mimi, the dog at the center of a severe abuse case that emerged in March in Erie County, has now been adopted by the foster family that cared for her during her recovery.
In a Facebook post, the ANNA Shelter explained that Mimi's adoption was finalized only after the court case ended with the original owner going to jail.
What happened?
According to Erie News Now, the shepherd was rescued in March from a wooded area in Erie County after suffering extensive abuse.
The ANNA Shelter noted Mimi had been "badly injured, [her] muzzle and [her] legs bound tight with zip ties, [her] tail bones broken, and then dumped in the rain left to die in the cold by a pond in the woods. … [She] laid there for 3 days until someone walking in the woods found [her]."
Pennsylvania State Police later charged Roy King, 63, of Harborcreek, Pennsylvania, with crimes including torture and aggravated cruelty to animals, Erie News Now reported.
The ANNA Shelter explained that Mimi's adoptive mother was among the veterinary staff who cared for her after the rescue. Now she is safe and adjusting to life with a caring, loving family.
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Yet, according to her new owner, Mimi will never be 'normal,' due to her "mental and physical injuries that will be with [her for her] whole life." She is now extremely nervous around new people, and quite sensitive around the areas of her body that were bound or broken.
What's being done?
In its post, the shelter credited investigators, prosecutors, and veterinary staff with helping save Mimi's life and secure justice in the case.
Her adoption came through foster-based care, which can provide a calmer environment, close observation, and consistency for animals recovering from trauma. Her foster parent adopting her may have been the best-case scenario for Mimi.
"All of the court stuff is done and the Judge put the mean person who hurt me in jail for a while so it's time to CELEBRATE!" the ANNA Shelter wrote in its post announcing Mimi's adoption.
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