Stolen Labrador puppy is ‘hit by car’ and killed while trying to find her way home
Bella the dog's owner desperately hunted for his beloved pet - but was several hours too late to save her life
A stolen Labrador is believed to have been struck by a car and killed while trying to find her way home.
The two year-old dog, called Bella, was discovered dead along a highway in North Charleston, South Carolina on Sunday, a fortnight after she was taken.
Bella was left inside owner Ben Brengle’s truck as he ran into a home improvement store days before Christmas to buy some lumber.
Brengle left the truck engine running to keep Bella warm, but a thief took advantage of his kindness, and stole the truck with Bella inside.
Bella escaped the truck at a nearby mall. A local reported feeding her close to where she was last seen, prompting Brengle to camp out on Saturday night, in the hopes of a reunion.
Sadly, he found his beloved dog’s corpse several hours later.
Brengle had been appealing for information about Bella on Facebook and Instagram, and broke the bad news about her death shortly after finding the body.
According to WCSC, He wrote: ‘In honor of all The Lost Dogs sent to us during Bella’s search.
‘We pray they all find their way home.
“It was about finding Bella.
‘Now that I found her, it’s about paying it forward. It’s about trying to use this as a movement.’
Bella will be laid to rest at a memorial service at a later date.
Richard Rawlings Jr, 37, has been arrested on suspicion of stealing the truck with Bella inside, and is due in court at a later date.