Minnesota Animal Shelter ‘Devastated’ by Light Sentence for Dog’s Tragic Death

Late last year, a Minnesota animal rescue shared a story that’s difficult to hear. A dog was discovered abandoned, barely alive.

He couldn’t walk, and his body temperature was so low it couldn’t even be measured. It’s believed that this dog had been confined in a kennel for an extended period, leading to his severely weakened state.

A Glimmer of Hope

The rescue team from Animal Allies in Duluth didn’t give up on him. They brought him in, giving him the care he so desperately needed. Despite everything, this dog showed some fight.

He was alert, responding to the love and attention he was finally getting. They gave him fluids, a little food, and, most importantly, some much-needed warmth and love.

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A Heartbreaking Loss

Sadly, less than 24 hours later, this dog—now named "Lovebug"—passed away. Even though his time was short, he left a big impact on everyone who tried to save him. In the days following his death, thousands of dollars were raised from people heartbroken from the news.

Sometimes, all an animal needs is a little love and warmth to pass on with dignity, and that’s exactly what Lovebug got at the end.

Was Justice Served for Lovebug?

As more details came to light, the story became even more tragic. According to WDIO-TV, Rainna Korby received a stay of adjudication for one count of Overwork/Mistreat Animals-Torture in connection with the death of her dog, Gio, who later became known to the public as Lovebug.

Korby was given only three years of supervised probation, and if she successfully completes it, the charge will be dismissed.

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"Devastated by the Outcome"

After learning about the weak sentence given to Korby, Animal Allies says they are "heartbroken by the message this choice sends." They are urging the public to reach out to lawmakers to bring awareness and to help change laws.

They are also asking the public to say something if they see animal abuse, they shared that the St Louis County Sheriff's Department has been getting more calls from aware citizens, and have acted to save some animals from bad situations.

Lovebug's Legacy

Animal Allies says that, "Lovebug's memory will live on through everyone striving for better treatment of animals and laws when it comes to animal abuse." They say that Lovebug's remains are in the lobby of the shelter as a reminder of why they do what they do.