Wisconsin
‘A unicorn of a dog’: Bella the shelter dog has 5 legs and a lot of heart
Bella’s fifth leg is basically fused with her back right leg. X-rays unveiled the mystery: Two femurs, two tibias, two fibulas and nine toes. The shelter where she’s at says she’s happy and healthy.
Bella, the five-legged puppy, is looking for a Milwaukee-area forever home
Bella, a 6-month-old puppy, has a rare condition called dimelia, which left one of her legs with duplicated bones and nine toes.
When a 6-month-old dog named Bella was surrendered to the Wisconsin Humane Society, one thing − or rather one leg − stuck out.
The 50-pound pup, who was surrendered on April 15, had an abnormal gait, her back right leg was wider than the other three and her paw looked like a flipper.
Bella’s X-rays revealed the mystery: Two femurs, two tibias, two fibulas and nine toes. Basically, a fifth leg.
“I actually thought somebody was playing an AI prank on me or was playing in Photoshop,” Wisconsin Humane Society spokesperson Angela Speed told USA TODAY on Wednesday. “I’ve never seen anything like that.”
Bella the five-legged shelter pup gets diagnosis
Bella has been diagnosed with dimelia, a congenital condition so rare that her case is the first the Wisconsin Humane Society has seen in its 145-year history.
The Humane Society consulted with outside veterinarians and determined that since Bella does not appear to be in any pain from the condition, that the leg can stay as-is. Speed did say that Bella has some mobility issues and that the family who adopts her should develop a close relationship with a veterinarian.
“It’s really hard to know what the next six months, two years, five years, are going to look like for Bella,” Speed said. “We know that today she’s a happy otherwise healthy girl.”
The “unicorn of a dog” loves eating chicken, her treats and going on walks. She is currently available for adoption.
“We’ve never met anyone like her,” Speed said
Shelter hopes Bella’s noteriety helps find others forever homes
Speed hopes that the publicity Bella generates will bring more attention to the animals in the Humane Society’s shelters, where she says intake has been higher than it was before the COVID-19 pandemic.
“2024 has been a really challenging year for shelters across the country, including at the Wisconsin Humane Society. We’re seeing a lower demand for adoption right now but higher intake. It’s creating bottlenecks,” Speed said. “Fortunately, the Wisconsin Humane Society animals in our adoption program have as long as it takes to find a new home, but it’s taking longer.”
According to Shelter Animals Count, an organization that tracks the number of animals in shelters across the nation, over 1,800 shelters have taken in over 529,000 animals from the start of the year through March. Of them, 241,270 were strays and 148,381 were relinquished by their owners.
The organization also reports that the shelters have completed over 324,00 adoptions and returned nearly 59,000 animals to their owners.
“We’re hoping that Bella’s story does help shine the light on the fantastic and amazing dogs available at your local shelter,” Speed said.
A Wisconsin man has been arrested in Colorado in connection with a fatal north suburban hit-and-run earlier this year that left a 50-year-old woman killed.
According to the Winthrop Harbor Police Department, Travis Kern, 35, of Pleasant Prairie, turned himself into police in Lakewood Colorado on an arrest warrant. Kern was charged with two felonies, police said, and remains in custody in Colorado pending extradition proceedings.
About 11:10 p.m. on February 26, a pedestrian was struck in the 1400 block of Sheridan Road in Winthrop Harbor by a driver of a vehicle heading northbound. The vehicle then fled the scene, police said.
The pedestrian, later identified as Shanna White, 50, of Waukegan, was transported to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced dead.
According to court documents, Kern’s next scheduled court date is set for July 22.
WHITEWATER, Wis. (WMTV) – The Kids from Wisconsin troupe is kicking off its 56th annual tour this week.
Kids from Wisconsin is a traveling show with 22 singer-dancers and 14 band members. The troupe performs across Wisconsin, hosting workshops for kids and helping fundraise for youth arts programs.
This year’s theme is “America’s Soundtrack: The Pulse of a Nation.” The theme honors the 250th anniversary of America and features music by all-American composers, bands and performers.
Kids from Wisconsin bassist and student leader Alex Coller said that range is what makes this year’s tour stand out.
“The theme is really just celebrating American music. And I think it’s definitely one of the most cohesive and like diverse shows I have played with this organization,” Coller said. “Even though its just American music it’s really cool to see. Anyone no matter who you are, or what your musical background is, or whether you like music or not, there is something here for everyone to enjoy.”
Kids from Wisconsin’s artistic and choral director, Taras Nahirniak, said audiences won’t want to miss it.
“Find a show near you, you are not going to want to miss this show. It’s just spectacular, the kids are so talented,” Nahirniak said. “We are just finishing up our camp right now, and they are just working their tails off. To really go around the state and show the state what they have.”
The tour premieres Thursday night at Young Auditorium in Whitewater. For tickets, tour dates or to find a show, visit kidsfromwi.org.
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Marquette poll shows Wisconsin voters unfocused on governor race
A Marquette University Law School poll reveals Wisconsin voters lack focus on the governor’s race, with most undecided 5 months before the primary.
MADISON – Former Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. CEO Missy Hughes is dropping out of the Democratic primary race for governor and endorsing Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez.
Hughes, who was the most moderate candidate in the Democratic field for governor, suspended her campaign days after placing last in a straw poll of party delegates at the Democratic Party of Wisconsin state convention in Madison.
Her endorsement of Rodriguez comes as some Democrats are eyeing an alternative to state Rep. Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist, and former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, who leans further left than current Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. Hong and Barnes are considered frontrunners in the primary race.
In a statement, Hughes flicked at the approach of Hong and other candidates to her left who have proposed significant changes to state government.
“I believe there is great hope in these small efforts to find common ground. I wanted to make sure that Wisconsinites understand we have created something valuable and that investing in ourselves and our communities is well-deserved,” Hughes said. “We do not need to tear it all down, and there is real and important work to do to improve what we already have.”
Hughes suggested Rodriguez would make more reasonable decisions as governor than her primary opponents.
“This job is about running the state, and getting things done. As you consider what is important to you, I urge you to look beyond the talking points, social media posts, and gilded promises and consider what you think is essential to do the job,” she said. “Stop asking, ‘Who will win?’ and start asking who you trust to make big decisions that impact our families and the wellbeing of our loved ones, neighbors and communities.”
This developing story will be updated.
Molly Beck can be reached at molly.beck@jrn.com.
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