Puppy Billie Was Passed Over Countless Times, But Now Has Forever Home

Photos of Billie and his new family provided by the MSPCA

She was passed over countless times. Billie the pup has a spinal malformation that make it difficult to use her hind legs, which made it difficult to find a forever home.

After Patch ran a story on Billie, more than 400 would-be adopters flooded the phone lines of the Massachusetts Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) asking about the little rescued dachshund.

The MSPCA is “thrilled to report” that she was adopted by Diane Molinari (left in photo) and Tina Petras (right) of Clinton, MA.

She’s now settled into her new home, which also includes another dachshund named Maxwell and a rat terrier named Stanley.

Billie was the last one standing after a case earlier this year in which the MSPCA stepped in.

On Jan. 5, 71 Dachshund mix dogs were rescued from a home in Westminster, MA, in a case of animal cruelty. Most of them underweight, matted and coated in urine and feces, the dogs were surrendered to the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA)-Angell Memorial from the home, which was described as a “puppy mill.”

The MSPCA-Angell’s Law Enforcement department announced in February that it filed 14 counts of felony animal cruelty against Shirley and Edward Aguiar for subjecting numerous dachshunds in their care to unnecessary suffering.

One of those dogs was pregnant at the time she was rescued, and gave birth to three puppies only days after arriving at the MSPCA’s shelter. Two of those pups quickly found homes, as did all 71 of the adult dogs.

But one dog still sat waiting. Her name is Billie and she’s handicapped.

“Billie was born with a malformed spine which makes using her hind legs very difficult,” said MSPCA spokesperson Bob Halpin. “Because she is ‘handicapped,’ she was passed over in favor of the healthier puppies and adults.”

More on Patch:

• Animal Cruelty Charges Filed Against MA Couple for Subjecting Numerous Dogs to Suffering: The organization’s law enforcement department seeks justice for numerous dachshunds living in a commercial breeding facility.
• 71 Dachshunds Rescued From Massachusetts Home: The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals rescued 71 dogs from a Westminster home, most of them malnourished.