#SaveBela: Internet tries to find home for dog requested to be killed and buried alongside owner

Indiana native Connie Ley passed away last month with a bizarre request: euthanize and bury her beloved german shepherd Bela alongside her. The story then became a media sensation, and now a growing social media movement called #SaveBela is attempting to find a suitable home for the dog.

"We want to save Bela's life and bring him to our sanctuary, but the decision to send him to us or have him put down and cremated is out of our hands," says the #SaveBela page on Offerpop. "The decision needs to be made by the person designated in Ms. Ley's will, and we are hopeful that she will agree. Please be patient as we educate her about Best Friends life-saving mission and demonstrate that Bela will be in good hands."

Several housing options have opened up for Bela after the story went viral. Ley's attorney, Doug Denmore, told WCPO that she would prefer to send Bela to Best Friends Animal Society's no-kill sanctuary in southern Utah. That option proved to be financially unfeasible, and in wake of the dog potentially being put to sleep, many have offered to take Bela in while arguing against the dog's potential death, CNN reports.

Best Friends Animal Society commented on Bela on their Facebook page.

"We want to save Bela's life and bring him to our sanctuary, but the decision to send him to us or have him put down and cremated is out of our hands. The decision needs to be made by the person designated in Ms. Ley's will, and we are hopeful that she will agree. Please be patient as we educate her about Best Friends' life-saving mission and demonstrate that Bela will be in good hands."

However, Denmure contends that everything within Ley's will is legal.

"The dog was owned by my client and now it's part of her estate," he told WCPO. "And those are her wishes, as far as the future of the dog is concerned. Outsiders don't have the grounds to rewrite the provisions of my client's will and impose what they want."

Denmure noted that Ley didn't trust Bela be around others, and that the dog has a history of aggressive behavior. Denmure told WCPO that a veterinarian recommended the dog be put down.

Click here you want to learn more about the fight to #SaveBela.