Beaten dog rescued from nearly drowning at Roeding Park

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A woman made a disturbing discovery over the weekend inside Central Fresno's Roeding Park. She rescued a dog, who had been beaten and nearly drowned.

This little Chihuahua mix named Bella appears completely content. But, Katie Gelegan, the woman who found her, says behind this calm face lies a sad story.

"I think it's disgusting. I don't understand it." Katie says she found Bella at this pond inside Fresno's Roeding Park. She says she was able to save her just seconds before she disappeared underwater.

"She was bleeding a little bit and she had some marks on her nose and she was just shaking like crazy of course, she was drowning, so she was really scared," Katie Gelegan said.

Katie rushed Bella to this Emergency Veterinary Hospital in Central Fresno. A doctor there told her not only was Bella abused, but, she's also pregnant.

The story disturbed one family, who was walking their dog Tuesday near the exact spot where Bella almost died. "That's terrible." "It's like a human. You know, they've got feelings."

Fortunately, Bella seems to be making a full recovery. "She's a really good girl," Gelegan said.

But, Katie, who already has three dogs of her own, will have to give her away. "She is very loveable. I don't think she's ever had a home before."

One of her friends has agreed to take Bella and her babies in.

As for the person responsible for Bella's abuse, "Obviously, we had no idea who did it and if I found out, I would have a lot to say to them. But I don't think we'll ever know."

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Contact Shannon Handy at shannon.handy@abc.com if you are interested in adopting Bella or her puppies.

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roeding park, fresno, fresno county, fresno central, local, shannon handy

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