It’s genuinely shocking how some individuals can show such brutality toward dogs. A loving canine named Riona endured tremendous suffering after being viciously set ablaze by her owner last year.
But approximately one year following that devastating incident, Riona is at last going to her permanent home.
In June of last year, people living in Nutbush, Tennessee witnessed a horrifying scene as Riona, a pitbull mix, sprinted down the street consumed by flames. The distinct odor of gasoline made it evident that she had been deliberately set on fire.
Watch on TikTok:
@justice4riona Humans covered her in gas and set her on fire. She was running down the street covered in flames. Yet all she wants to do is to love on everybody! Share her story! #justice4riona #tailsofhopedogrescue #dogsoftiktok #dogrescue #shareherstory ♬ Surrender – Natalie Taylor
“The smell of gas was overwhelming,” Mallory Mclemore of Bluff City Veterinary Specialists told Memphis Commercial Appeal.
“She was scorched and drenched in diesel fuel… It verified she was ignited via witness accounts,” Ginger Natoli, founder of the Tails of Hope Dog Rescue, told Newsweek. “We’ve secured ring cam footage from a neighbor that also captures her running as a ball of flames.”
Riona lost her ear to burns, but fortunately her left eye was preserved after emergency medical intervention. She was sheltered by Tails of Hope Dog Rescue, and received treatment at Bluff City Veterinary Specialists. She underwent twice daily complete body wrappings to shield her damaged skin.
A TikTok video chronicling Riona’s ordeal went viral with millions of views, generating compassion for Riona worldwide.
Riona embarked on a lengthy journey to recovery, undergoing multiple skin grafts to address the fourth degree burns covering her body. Though traumatized by the experience, Riona was described as maintaining positive spirits throughout her rehabilitation.
“She constantly wags her tail,” Mclemore said. “That’s what makes it even more heartbreaking, I suppose. Not that it would ever be acceptable, but being so affectionate and for someone to inflict something like this on her. She simply adores everyone.”
“She’s actually somewhat adorable with just one ear,” Natoli told the Commercial Appeal. “It enhances her charming personality.”
Tails of Hope continued providing progress reports on Riona’s recovery, and supporters contributed donations and presents for the dog.
Meanwhile, 43-year-old Quishon Brown was apprehended for allegedly igniting Riona. Police charged him with misdemeanor assault and two felonies, aggravated cruelty to animals and setting fire to personal property. The case currently awaits trial.
According to a Facebook post, Riona’s story also contributed to the passage of a new animal cruelty bill in Tennessee.
Months elapsed, and gradually Riona’s condition improved. And recently, almost precisely a year after she was ignited, there has been an uplifting development in Riona’s story: she’s finally heading to her new home!
Tails of Hope announced they would be undertaking a ten-hour journey to transport Riona to her new forever family.
“Our mission was to secure her a permanent home, and that’s exactly what we discovered,” Natoli told the Commercial Appeal. “Riona has fellow dogs to interact with, children to play alongside, a spacious yard to enjoy, and a family with experience in the medical field and comprehension of her injuries.”
“Riona’s narrative isn’t concluding, in fact it’s truly just commencing,” the rescue stated on Facebook. “We have all participated in this miracle, our ‘warrior’ girl.”
As a reminder that animal rescue work never ceases, Tails of Hope mentioned that immediately after Riona departed for her new home, they welcomed another rescue dog who had been a burn victim. “There is invariably another in need,” they wrote. “Now we get to participate in yet another story.”
What a horrible thing for this poor sweet dog to go through, but we’re so happy that a year later Riona is off to her new home!
Please share this inspiring update! ❤️🐾
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