After months in foster care, Miracle' escaped a harrowing fall from a second-floor balcony and is about to begin on a new path as a veteran's service dog.
Last December, a video of a young German Shepherd being thrown from a Daytona Beach balcony went viral, and she's returned with good news: she's been adopted and will soon begin her new life as a service dog for a war veteran. Following the incident, a judge determined that the dog's previous owner, Allison Murphy, is unable to care for her and granted a rehoming petition. Murphy was charged with a felony and will be prohibited from owning animals for the next five years.
In December 2020, Volusia County police were summoned to a Daytona Beach hotel after reports of a woman standing on a second-floor balcony and threatening to jump. Prior to the sheriffs When Murphy arrived, he grabbed the dog and threw her over the balcony. The dog miraculously recovered her balance and bolted. Onlookers seized her and transported her to a local veterinary hospital for treatment. She escaped with minimal injuries, earning her the moniker "Miracle."
Since December, Miracle has been in the care of a foster family. She still has a lot of love and support to provide as a young registered service dog, and Animal Services has found her a new home with a war veteran in need of an assistance animal. Service dogs can help veterans with disabilities and physical restrictions by opening doors, operating switches, bringing objects, and barking for help. They also offer emotional support and consolation to veterans who experience PTSD or other mental health issues as a result of their service.
Animal Services Director Adam Leath commended everybody who contributed to Miracle's happy ending in a statement issued by Volusia County, stating, "We're delighted that working with our law enforcement partners, we were able to intervene and protect Miracle from any further damage." Animal Services and law enforcement agencies throughout the county are continuing to collaborate to give assistance and services to both our four-legged and two-legged pets."