Decision has been finalized:
In a significant development, the Bavarian Administrative Court (BayVGH) in Munich has made an interim decision to prevent the return of a Vizsla dog named Bella to her previous owner. The decision, made on July 23, was met with relief and joy from animal protectors across Germany.
Bella, who was nearly starved to death in early February 2025, was taken in by the Munich animal shelter and nursed back to health over several months. The animal protectors were horrified and feared renewed weight loss, neglect, serious health problems, or dangerous accidents if Bella returned to her previous owner.
A petition for Bella, which has now collected 84,210 signatures, and an outcry from people across Germany followed. The Bavarian Higher Administrative Court (BayVGH) has now granted this appeal, preventing Bella's return to her previous owner in Unterhaching.
The BayVGH found that the previous owner had neither fed Bella appropriately for her species nor her age. The court assumed that a sustainable and reliable dog keeping that meets the animal welfare requirements could not be guaranteed by the previous owner.
The Bavarian State Prosecutor filed an appeal against the decision of the Munich Administrative Court at the request of the Munich-Land Veterinary Office. However, as of now, there is no official release for mediation.
The spokeswoman for the Munich Animal Protection Association expressed delight and hope about the decision, stating that if everything goes well, Bella can stay with her foster family forever. She emphasized that this is still an interim decision, and no official release for Bella's permanent custody has been made yet.
The spokeswoman also reported that Bella is doing well and thanked everyone for their support. The mention of a release of speech in the BayVGH announcement is only a hint to the administrative court or the responsible veterinary office.
As the case of Bella the dog continues to unfold, it serves as a reminder of the importance of animal welfare and the role of the courts in ensuring the safety and well-being of animals in need. For the latest updates on this specific case, we recommend checking recent news outlets or official Bavarian court releases directly.
Science played a crucial role in evaluating Bella's health-and-wellness, as veterinarians provided evidence of her previous conditions and the necessary care she required. Mental-health professionals may also be called upon to ensure Bella receives proper care and a stable environment to prevent potential traumatic recurrences in the future.
