It’s genuinely shocking how heartless some individuals can be towards animals. A charming pup named Riona endured as much as anyone after being brutally set on fire by her owner previous year. Now, almost a year after that dreadful incident, Riona is about to embark on a fresh chapter in her life by going to her new residence.
Source: Tails of Hope Dog Rescue
In June of the previous year, the inhabitants of Nutbush, Tennessee, witnessed a horrifying spectacle. Riona, a pit bull blend, sprinted down the road in flames, with the smell of gasoline verifying that she had been intentionally set on fire.
Mallory Mclemore of Bluff City Veterinary Specialists remembered, “All you could smell was gasoline.”
“She was burnt and covered in diesel fuel… It confirmed she was set on fire via witness statements,” Ginger Natoli, founder of Tails of Hope Dog Rescue, told Newsweek. “We have obtained ring cam footage from a neighbor that also shows her running in a ball of flames.”
Riona’s ear was incinerated, but her left eye was salvaged through an emergency medical response. Tails of Hope Dog Rescue took her in and provided her with medical care at Bluff City Veterinary Specialists. She received daily full body wraps to safeguard her burned skin.
Her recuperation journey commenced with numerous skin grafts to address the severe fourth-degree burns across her physique. Despite the trauma, Riona demonstrated good spirits throughout her healing process.
Source: Tails of Hope Dog Rescue
Mclemore noted, “She’s just always wagging her tail. That’s what makes it even worse, I suppose. Not that it would ever be acceptable, but just being so sweet and for somebody to do something like this to her. She just adores everybody.” Meanwhile, a 43-year-old named Quishon Brown was apprehended for allegedly setting Riona on fire. He faced charges of misdemeanor assault and two felonies, including aggravated cruelty to animals and setting fire to personal property. And the case is awaiting trial. As the months passed, Riona’s condition progressively improved. She is preparing for her new residence almost a year after the tragedy. Riona would be transported to her forever home via a ten-hour road trip, according to a Tails of Hope announcement.
Source: Tails of Hope Dog Rescue
According to Natoli, “Our aim was to secure her a forever home, and that’s precisely what we discovered.” Riona’s new family includes other canines to play with, youngsters, a sizable yard, and caregivers with medical experience who comprehend her injuries.
As Tails of Hope conveyed, Riona’s tale is far from over – it’s a new commencement. Their Facebook post stated, “We have all been a part of this miracle, our ‘warrior’ girl.”
Reminding us that animal rescues are an ongoing endeavor, Tails of Hope shared that right after Riona departed for her new residence, they welcomed another rescue dog who had endured burns. “There is always another in need,” they underscored, highlighting the continuous nature of their work.
While Riona’s previous experience was characterized by a horrifying trial, her forthcoming prospects appear more optimistic as she sets out on this fresh phase in her existence.