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one green planet

The story of how Patrol Officer Brandon Melbar met Harvard, the pit bull puppy, is not your average happy adoption tale. This is because Officer Melbar was introduced to Harvard after the dog had been the victim of an extreme beating on the streets of  Cleveland, Ohio.

The officers who responded to the animal abuse call found Harvard with injuries on his legs, paws and face. Witnesses who reported the event stated that the man responsible for beating the pit bull was hitting the dog with a belt and a brick, as well as attempting to strangle him.

One of the witnesses was able to convince the man to stop beating the pup and to hand him over. When the police arrived at the scene, Harvard jumped right onto the floor of the front seat, as if he knew they had come to take him away from this horrible scene.

Cleveland Police/Facebook
 

Harvard was immediately taken for medical attention and is now on the mend. All of Harvard’s medical bills have been covered by the organization, Badges for Bullies, a group that works to strengthen the relationship between police, animal rescue organizations, and the general public. The man responsible for the beating has been arrested under animal cruelty charges and was issued a $5,000 bond.

Cleveland Police/Facebook
 

One of the Cleveland Police Officers, Officer Melbar, agreed to foster Harvard as he recovered but ended up falling in love with the pit bull pup and adopting him as his own.

Melbar told Fox Cleveland, “He just rolls over, wants you to rub his belly, he’s not aggressive at all … He’s just been pretty lovable.”

Cleveland Police/Facebook
 

A happy ending to this initially tragic story. Although the road to his forever home was a turbulent one, Harvard is now safe and sound and receiving all the love and care he deserves.

Image source: Cleveland Police/Facebook