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Abused Dog Effie To Be Adopted By Officer Who Rescued Her

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A happy ending has finally come for a pit bull named Effie. She weighed just 14 pounds when she arrived at the Western Pa. Humane Society Jan. 21.

Director Mary Withrow says the pit bull, rescued from an apartment in Homewood, looked like a skeleton when she arrived.

"You could see every bone in her body. She had very little fur on her," she said.

According to the Western Pa. Humane Society, a foster volunteer provided a safe, loving and comfortable environment for Effie throughout her recovery.

She's now an energetic 37 pounds and ready to find her forever home. Animal services have been working with Effie to find the right home for her, as it would be her first ever stable environment after being so mistreated.

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"After a thorough screening process of interested adopters, one individual stood out as she went to great lengths to provide a home tailored to Effie," the Humane Society said in a release.

City of Pittsburgh Police Officer Christine Luffey will be taking Effie home for good. She was one of the officer who helped rescue Effie from neglect, she has also been committed to bringing animal cruelty charges against Effie's previous owner.  

Gerald Walker was found guilty of animal cruelty and was sentenced to 18 months probation.

"I wanted the very best for her. I don't ever want this to happen to her again. It better not! It never will! ...Or another animal. But I can tell you that Effie has found her forever home. I'm very committed to her. She will never be lonely, she will never be hungry," Luffey said.

"This is a happy day for the thousands of people in the Pittsburgh community who have shown such great support for Effie's recovery since she came to the Western Pa. Humane Society in January. We congratulate the Luffey family on the new addition to their family and thank them for their commitment to Effie's health and happiness," said Hala Nuemah, Managing Director, Western Pa. Humane Society.

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