The Internet got its Christmas wish to # SaveBela . Bela is now being sent to live at a Utah animal sanctuary . The Indiana German shepherd tugged at collective heartstrings last week when it was revealed he could be euthanized due to a stipulation in his late owner 's will . But Bela will go to Best Friends Animal Society , the group revealed on its blog Tuesday . `` We are thrilled to announce that Bela has been released to Best Friends Animal Society and we are currently arranging his transport to our sanctuary in Kanab , Utah , '' wrote Francis Battista , vice chair of Best Friends . People across the country learned of 9-year-old Bela 's story through media reports last week that emphasized a provision in the will of his owner , Connie Ley , that said the dog should be put to sleep and his ashes placed with Ley 's ashes if a suitable home could n't be found for Bela . The social media hashtag # SaveBela was born after the public expressed outrage at Ley 's request to put down a healthy dog . `` Add me to the list of people who would gladly adopt Bela and give her a happy home . Please # SaveBela from her dead owner 's stupidity , '' one woman wrote . However Doug Denmure , Ley 's attorney , said outsiders did n't know the whole story . Before her death on November 25 , Ley worried that Bela 's aggressive behavior could pose a danger to other people . `` He could cause damage and inflict bodily harm on strangers , in particular , children , '' Denmure told CNN affiliate WCPO-TV in Cincinnati . `` When ( Ley ) died , she died at her home and the dog was in there . No one could enter the house because they were concerned the dog would attack . '' The dog was housed in a special kennel at PAWS of Dearborn County Humane Center in Lawrenceburg , Indiana , until a decision could be made . Ley 's will left the option to send Bela to the Utah animal sanctuary or to put him to sleep up to a close friend . Ley stated that if it was cost prohibitive or otherwise impossible to send the dog to the shelter , he should be put down and laid to rest with her , according to her attorney . `` Denmure and her designated friend , charged to decide what was best for Bela , were unaware of Best Friends experience in providing appropriate care for dogs like Bela , '' Eric Rayvid , a shelter representative , told WCPO after it was revealed that the dog would be saved . Before the decision was reached , Denmure maintained that everything about Ley 's request was legal . `` The dog was being owned by my client and now it 's part of her estate , '' he told WCPO . `` And those are her wishes , as far as the future of the dog is concerned . Outsiders do n't have the grounds to rewrite the provisions of my client 's will and impose what they want . '' The case has raised ethical questions about how much control the deceased should have over the lives of their pets . `` On the whole , we do n't allow people to euthanize healthy pets , '' said Edward Queen , a professor of ethics at Emory University . On the other hand , he said , it 's not uncommon for unwanted pets to be euthanized . `` As a matter of policy , do we really want people to control the life of a healthy pet on a whim ? '' he pondered . `` Assuming the dog is healthy and will be cared for , I 'm not sure we want to encourage this . '' Best Friends Animal Society said in its blog post that it 's time for a new hashtag : # BelaIsSafe -- but he is n't out of the woods yet . `` Of all those party to the unfolding events following Connie Ley 's passing , Bela has experienced the trauma of losing his life-long companion and his home . Our first priority is to do everything we can to make Bela 's life whole once again in keeping with Connie Ley 's wishes for her beloved dog . ''
# SaveBela started after the public learned a healthy Indiana dog might be euthanized . In her will , Bela 's late owner asked that the dog be put to sleep and laid to rest with her . A Utah animal sanctuary has agreed to take the dog .