Allegedly abused Staffordshire puppy adopted into new home after being rescued by police officers

How a puppy rescued after allegations of awful cruelty and man looking for a new best friend after his dog of ten years died found each other.

Vivienne the staffy was rescued by police last month after she was allegedly abused by her previous owner outside a Geelong West supermarket. Picture: Mark Wilson

A five-month-old puppy allegedly found being stomped on by its previous owner has been given a second chance at a happy life after being adopted into a loving home.

Police were called to a Geelong West supermarket on May 29 about 11am after reports the pooch, now known as Vivienne, was being abused.

Officers arrested a man after he was allegedly stomping on and beating her outside ALDI on Albert St.

The man was charged with causing injuries to an animal and will front Geelong Magistrates’ Court at a later date.

The pup was adopted by Geelong man Michael, who did not want his surname published, last week.

“She is a gorgeous little pup,” he said.

“Considering what she has come from, she already trusts me and has connected to me.”

Vivienne was left bruised and scratches following the Geelong West incident.

Vivienne with her new owner Michael. Picture: Mark Wilson

Michael’s previous dog of 10 years died in October and at the time, he didn’t think he would adopt another dog.

“But I had been thinking about getting another dog for about a month and was looking through lost dog homes,” he said.

A sergeant at Geelong police station mentioned to his daughter, who is a friend of Michael’s, that they had seized a puppy in Geelong West and she had been taken to the Geelong Animal Welfare Society (GAWS).

“They sent me some photos of her … I sat on it (for a little bit) because I didn’t want to make the wrong decision for her or for me,” he said.

But when Michael went to meet Vivienne on Friday last week at GAWS, the pair instantly connected and he brought her home that day.

“(Staff) were happy with how we interacted and they were confident we were a good mix,” he said.

Michael said Vivienne loved to follow him around the house and was very affectionate.

“She has done me a favour as well because I live by myself and she is a companion for me,” he said.

“She has done as much for me as I’ve done for her.”

Geelong residents can follow Vivienne’s adventures on Instagram @vivienne_belasquez.

The content summaries were created with the assistance of AI technology, then edited and approved for publication by an editor.

Originally published as Allegedly abused Staffordshire puppy adopted into new home after being rescued by police officers