20 golden retrievers saved from slaughter in China arrive in Florida
20 golden retrievers saved from slaughter in China arrive in Florida
Twenty golden retrievers arrived in Miami on Sunday after being rescued from a likely horrific fate in China. (Credit: Golden Rescue of South Florida)
MIAMI - Twenty golden retrievers arrived in Miami on Sunday after being rescued from a likely horrific fate in China.
Golden Rescue of South Florida tells FOX 35 News the dogs were likely to end up at a meat market and slaughtered. Now, they've been adopted into forever families in Florida, including one in Orlando.
MORE NEWS: Dog hit by car, shot over 70 times finds forever home for the holidays
"This is the happiest day in 2020 for me," adopter Katie Brown told WSVN. "The fact that we’ve been waiting so long for these dogs to arrive, it’s been such a long journey, and to have her here, it means everything. It truly is making our year."
(Golden Rescue South Florida)
"In some cases, they were given up, abused, mistreated or neglect. It would have been likely that they would have ended up slaughtered if not for the rescue in China," the organization tells FOX 35 News.
The effort, which was 6 months in the making, was spearheaded by rescue coordinator Kristine Menerva. The dogs were supposed to arrive in Florida on Friday, but were delayed by 40-hours because their flight reportedly had a mechanical issue.
MORE NEWS: Deputies help alligator stuck in Florida storm drain
(Golden Rescue South Florida)
"With the help of the Taiwan [Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals], PETA, the China rescue that we’ve been working with, TCA, another organization in Chicago, we all came together," Menerva told WSVN. "and the dogs were fed, and they were given water and constantly 24-hour care while they were held up in their facility."
All 20 dogs will now spend the holidays with their new families.
Watch FOX 35 News for the latest local, national and trending stories.
Orlando weather: Thursday morning storms expected across Central Florida with localized flooding possible
Central Florida is expected to see daily rounds of showers and thunderstorms through the weekend, bringing a risk of localized flooding.
2 Marion County students dropped off at wrong bus stop, found safe after wandering miles from home
Two elementary school kids say they don’t want to go back to Wyomina Elementary School, after they were told to get off at the wrong bus stop.
Orlando Weather Forecast: Storm Team Alert Thursday, Flash Flooding & Big Storms
FOX 35 Storm Team Senior Meteorologist Noah Bergren is tracking a widespread coverage of showers and storms for Thursday that may cause pockets of flash flooding during the day.
Body camera video shows final standoff with Titusville murder suspect
Newly released body camera and dashboard camera video shows the hourlong standoff between Titusville police and a man accused of shooting and killing his estranged wife before taking his own life.
New texts detail alleged murder plot by Lake Brantley students, prosecutors say
Newly released text messages provide a closer look at what prosecutors say was a calculated plot by two Lake Brantley High School students to kill a classmate and conceal evidence as investigators closed in.
Good Samaritan rescues bedridden man from burning Osceola County home
A Good Samaritan is being hailed as a hero after rescuing a bedridden man from a burning home in Osceola County before firefighters arrived.
Good Samaritan rescues bedridden man from burning Osceola County home
A Good Samaritan is being credited with saving a bedridden man from a burning home in Osceola County after running inside before firefighters arrived.
Orange County schools delay enforcement of new bike, scooter restrictions
Orange County Public Schools will delay enforcement of its new restrictions on bicycles and scooters until after Labor Day, giving families several weeks to adjust before the rules take effect.
New Smyrna Beach embraces shark reputation while officials stress safety
New Smyrna Beach may be known as the "shark bite capital of the world," but that reputation has done little to deter the millions of visitors who swim, surf and fish along Volusia County's coastline each year.
Video shows suspected impaired driver striking child on bicycle in Titusville, police say
Surveillance video released by Titusville police shows the moment a child riding a bicycle was struck by a driver investigators say was impaired Tuesday night.