Rescued Pooch Had New Home

HOUMA, La. (AP) — A neglected dog that was rescued from a Laplace sewage ditch in October has a new home.

The dog, known as "Ripley," was handed over to the organization known as "My Heart's Desire" after two women found him.

According to The Courier of Houma, the 2-year-old poodle's hair was so matted and overgrown, he had to be sedated just to be groomed.

Local animal advocates say the new owners won't be made public until mid-December when they will be presented with a year's worth of free food at the PetCo store in Houma.

Reports of the dog's plight also got the attention of the Ripley's Believe It Or Not company, which will feature him in their 2012 edition of the "Believe It Or Not" book.