16-year-old Dog Found In Dumpster Tied Up In Trash Bag, Arrest Made
In a shocking incident in Lehigh Acres, Florida, a 16-year-old Shih Tzu named Xyla found herself at the center of a heartbreaking story of neglect and abuse.
After the heartbreaking loss of her beloved owners, Xyla found herself not only alone but thrust into a nightmare no one could have imagined. Rather than being offered comfort or care in her time of grief, she became the victim of an act of cruelty so heartless it left the entire community in disbelief. Stripped of the only family she had ever known, Xyla’s world collapsed—and what followed was a betrayal that no innocent soul should ever endure.
On December 14, employees at a Family Dollar store made a distressing discovery. Inside a trash bag in the store’s dumpster, they found Xyla, wrapped and discarded like common garbage. The dog was alive but in a vulnerable state, with a rope tied around her neck.
This act of abandonment was not just heartless but also criminal, and it sparked immediate action from the store’s employees and local law enforcement.
The Rescue and Recovery of Xyla
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the employees rushed Xyla to Blue Pearl Pet Hospital, the microchip identified her and revealed the recent passing of her owners. Despite her age and impaired vision, Xyla was in relatively good health, a testament to her resilience in the face of such adversity.
The Investigation and Arrest
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation, which included reviewing surveillance footage. The footage showed a suspect, later identified as 55-year-old Anthony Bellman, arriving at the dumpster in a blue minivan. He was seen removing a bag, believed to contain Xyla, from the trunk of his vehicle and callously tossing it into the dumpster.
This evidence led to Bellman’s arrest at his home, where he was charged with aggravated animal cruelty.
Bellman reportedly attempted to euthanize Xyla himself before abandoning her, as he found the idea of taking her to a clinic too distressing. Ironically, his actions put Xyla in even greater danger and ultimately led to his arrest.
Xyla’s Road to Recovery
Following her rescue, Xyla was taken into the care of Lee County Domestic Animal Services. Under their supervision, she began her journey to recovery, with the hope of finding a new home where she could spend her remaining years surrounded by love and care