RAPID RIVER – A former abused shelter dog is being credited for saving the life of a 3-year-old Rapid River girl found naked in a ditch Friday morning near her home.
The Delta County Sheriff’s office says a neighbor found the girl lying in a ditch after their dog alerted him to her presence. The owner of the dog says Peanut started barking and running around the house. When she was let outside, Peanut ran across a field to the girl.
The Sheriff’s office says the man wrapped the girl in his shirt and brought her back to his home to warm her up. It was 32 degrees outside at the time she was found.
Deputies went door to door in the area and eventually found the girl’s home. An investigation found the home to be unsafe with unsanitary living conditions. Child Protective Services removed the girl and another young girl from the home. The case has been sent to the Delta County Prosecutor’s office.
The Delta Animal Shelter says Peanut was found last April with two broken legs, a belly full of carpet and broken ribs. It’s former owner was recently convicted of animal abuse.
Peanut’s current owner credits Peanut with saving the little girl’s life and says she thinks Peanut has a “sixth sense” about her past life that she carries with her.
A statement from Peanut’s owner was posted on the Delta Animal Shelter’s Facebook page.
“I must share a heartfelt story about how wonderful our little Peanut has been! She has truly been a blessing to our family and we love having her around. As you know, her background was so heartbreaking and we are so happy that we were able to take her into our home and give her the love and the family she deserves. However, I think she still has some “sixth sense” about her past life that she has carried with her.
“Today, Peanut was responsible for saving the life of a 3 year old little girl. About 11 a.m. this morning, Peanut started going crazy at our house. She was running up and down the stairs, barking and yelping. She then went and got my husband, who was in the garage working on some projects, and alerted him that she wanted to go outside. He said he could hear her running around upstairs but didn’t understand why. He let her outside where she went barreling into the field behind our house at full speed. My husband followed her and to his surprise, he found a naked, shivering, 3 year old girl curled up in a ball. He scooped her up, wrapped her in his sweatshirt, and brought her inside. He called 911 and reported the incident. By the time the ambulance and police arrived, the little girl could only say one thing – “doggie.”
“Thanks to Peanut, a little girl’s life was saved today. She has been such a blessing to us, and now to others. Words cannot express how grateful we are that we have Peanut in our lives and how amazing she is. She is a part of our family now and thanks to wonderful people like you at the shelter, she is alive. Without her, not only would she have been gone from this world, but the life of this little girl might have been taken as well.”
Note: Photo from Delta Animal Shelter
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