German Shepherd Finds Her Forever Home With A War Vet After Being Thrown Off A Balcony By Her Previous Owner
"Florida Man..." or "Florida Woman..." followed by the most ridiculous words have been an internet joke for a while now. We learn of the most absurd reasons why Floridians get arrested due to their open-records law which makes all state government business records accessible to the public.
Sometimes, we don't get odd and laughable headlines from Florida. The proud Sunshine State can also be the bearer of bad news.
Take this news story about a dog that was harmed by its owner. Hug your furry friends before you read this: the poor dog was thrown off a second-story balcony by its distressed human.
The dog was not physically harmed by the incident but how did it get that far? In Volusia County, Florida, some officers responded to a 911 call from a motel where a woman was threatening to harm herself after attacking some of the motel staff.
The officers responded and checked on the woman but they arrived and witnessed something unexpected. The woman, Allison Murphy, went out of her room leading a leashed German Shepherd.
What happened next was caught on the officer's bodycam. Allison picked up her dog, carried it to the railing of the balcony, then threw it from the second-story balcony.
The dog named Opa May survived the fall without any serious injuries. The deputies arrested Allison from the motel and did their best to prevent her from owning other animals for five years.
This is Opa May, the one-year-old German Shepherd thrown from the balcony
Volusia County Sheriff's OfficeAllison Murphy testified that she was an Iraq war veteran who is suffering from several mental health issues
She said she would never normally harm her dog but she took sedatives to help her sleep. She woke up hallucinating that they were in danger and thought she was saving herself and Opa May from danger.
Volusia County Sheriff's OfficeShe also said she would do whatever it takes to get Opa May back
WESH 2This was the Daytona Beach motel where Opa May was thrown from
WESH 2Seen here is Allison Murphy coming out of the room with a leashed Opa May while the officers tried to converse with her
WESH 2The officers were a few steps away when Allison picked Opa May up
WESH 2To everyone's horror, she threw the dog from the balcony. The officers tried to catch the dog but everything happened too fast.
WESH 2
The dog fell on the concrete parking and ran away while some staff and hotel guests corralled it to assure its safety
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The dog didn't sustain physical injuries from the fall but the vet testified she extracted a needle from the dog's legs. She also believes Opa May was traumatized by the events.
Alicia Dease rescued Opa May and brought her to animal services for care. She then fostered Opa May until she found a home.
WESH 2
Opa May was finally safe and she was given a new name: Miracle
Volusia County Animal Services
So many people reached out to adopt Miracle but one family was deemed worthy to love her forever!
Volusia County Animal Services
The Volusia County Animal Services Director was so happy to announce that Miracle has finally found her forever family!
Volusia County Animal Services
Look at her!
Volusia County Animal Services
Miracle will not want for hugs and cuddles from her new human
Volusia County Animal Services
Alicia was emotional when recalling Miracle's journey
Volusia County Animal Services
Her new owner, Ted, is an Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran
Volusia County Animal Services
He shared that he saw the awful video and wondered how anyone could do that to an animal they were supposed to protect
He felt he and his wife could give Miracle a good and loving home so they volunteered to foster her
Volusia County Animal Services
They loved the time they spent together and the couple decided to make Miracle a permanent member of their family
Volusia County Animal Services
We say it's a love match!
Volusia County Animal Services
You can watch the full video courtesy of Volusia County Animal Services below:
Miracle's former owner was fined $1,100 for her actions and she was barred from owning any animals for 5 years. Is it enough punishment? We are unsure but we hope she learned her lesson.
As for Miracle, the wonderful survivor, she has been given a new and better chance at life. She was only a year old when she experienced those traumatic events but she still has her whole life with her new family to look forward to.
