Miracle survived a terrifying fall from a second-floor balcony and is set to embark on a new journey as a veteran service dog after months in foster care.
A video of a young German shepherd being thrown from a Daytona Beach balcony went viral last December, and she returned with good news: she was adopted and will soon start her new life as a service dog for a war veteran. After the event, the court found that the former owner of the dog, Alison Murphy, was unable to take care of her and approved a petition for resettlement. Murphy has been charged with a felony and will not be able to own animals for the next five years.
Volusia County police were called to the Daytona Beach Hotel in December 2020 after complaints of a lady standing on a second-floor balcony and threatening to jump. Before the deans arrived, Murphy scooped up the dog and threw it on the balcony. The dog miraculously regained her feet and ran away. Onlookers grabbed her and took her to a nearby animal hospital for treatment. She managed to escape with minor injuries, which gives her the nickname ” miracle.”
The miracle has been in the care of a foster family since December. As a young registered service dog, she still has a lot of love and support to offer, and her Animal Services has found a new home with a veteran in need of a help animal. Service dogs may help veterans with injuries and physical limitations with duties such as opening doors, controlling keys, fetching goods and barking for help. They also provide emotional and solace to veterans suffering from PTSD or other mental health concerns as a result of their service.
In a statement made by Volusia County, Animal Services Director Adam Leith congratulated all those who contributed to Miracle’s happy end, saying: “We are glad that working with our law enforcement partners, we were able to intervene and protect miracle from any further harm.”Animal Services and law enforcement organizations throughout the county continue to work together to provide assistance and resources to both our four-legged and two-legged pets.”