Heartbroken puppy refuses to leave owner's side after girl, 17, killed in crash

01 October 2023 , 09:42

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The puppy waiting at the crash site (Image: Jam Press)

A distressed puppy refused to leave its teenage owner’s side after she was killed in a horror road accident.

Débora Abigail Véliz Reynosa died when a lorry driver allegedly knocked her off her motorbike on a roundabout. The 17-year-old was travelling with her puppy, named Boots, at the time. Animal lover Débora had only adopted the dog the day before. Boots was reportedly abused by its former owner and she had brought the puppy into her home to give it a better life. The teen was returning home after buying her new pooch some clothes and accessories in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, on 20 September.

Débora Abigail Véliz Reynosa (Jam Press)

Boots survived the road accident and was found by its dead owner’s side by the time the police arrived on the scene. Officers secured the area and consoled the puppy, which refused to leave Débora’s lifeless body.

According to reports, when she was 12 years old, Débora used to sell empanadas and used the proceeds to help stray dogs in her town. She was studying criminology at the Centre for Integrated Studies in Quetzaltenango before her untimely passing. The education centre spoke of their “deep pain” at the young woman’s death.

She'd rescued the pooch just a day earlier (Jam Press)

In a statement, the centre said: “We send a prayer for the eternal rest of her soul. May perpetual light shine for her.” Friends and family said goodbye to Débora at her funeral on 21 September. The local community is calling for justice for the teen’s death.

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The police announced that they carried out a raid on a local property and seized a lorry suspected of being involved in the accident, but the owner is currently missing. Meanwhile, the police delivered the victim’s puppy to family members. The victim’s boyfriend Samuel has agreed to adopt Boots and give it the care and love Débora would have wanted. The investigation into the fatal accident is ongoing.

Ryan Fahey