Woman Refuses to Return Service Dog And the Internet’s In An Uproar

Missing Service Dog at Center of Emotional Custody Dispute After Fireworks Incident

A deeply loved service dog named Bella has become the heart of an emotional conflict after vanishing during Fourth of July fireworks in Richmond, California. Joey and Virginia Flores, Bella’s owners, say the eight-year-old Maltese ran off after being frightened by the loud explosions—a reaction many pet owners are all too familiar with. But this incident quickly escalated into something much more than a simple search-and-rescue.

Bella isn’t just a pet. She’s a certified service dog for Joey, a cancer survivor, and an emotional anchor for Virginia, who still grieves the loss of her son George. Virginia shared that Bella has been with their family for nearly nine years and is one of the last living connections she has to her son. The bond is profound and irreplaceable.

Immediately after Bella disappeared, Joey searched the neighborhood until 5 a.m. the following morning. The couple posted flyers throughout their community and stayed active on local social media apps. On July 5th, a woman posted on the Nextdoor app claiming she had found a small dog and taken it to a local pet store. There, the dog was reportedly scanned for a microchip that led to an address in Hayward. That address, by coincidence, was linked to Virginia’s late son’s former girlfriend.

The Floreses say that woman—identified as Bernadette—retrieved Bella but has since refused to return her. They’ve contacted her numerous times, sharing years’ worth of evidence, including photos, veterinary records, and Bella’s service dog license. So far, they’ve received no response.

Through tears, Virginia made a public plea: “Please return Bella. She needs us, and we need her.” Joey echoed the sentiment, adding, “She’s not yours. She’s Virginia’s, and she’s my service dog.”

Legally, the situation could have serious consequences. Under California law, wrongfully keeping a service dog can result in felony charges. However, no charges have been filed as of yet, and Bernadette’s version of events remains unknown.

Despite the painful situation, the Flores family says they still hope for a peaceful resolution. But if Bella isn’t returned, they’re prepared to pursue legal action. Until then, they hold out hope that Bella will come home—where she belongs.

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This content was created with AI assistance and edited by the iHeartDogs team.