An Animal Shelter Turned A Chewed Up Dog Toy Into A Murder Mystery

Wisconsin animal shelter Fox Valley Humane Association is the host to an adorable chocolate lab named Hank, who is in love with his favorite toy, a stuffed animal named Fuzzy Purple Hippo.

Hank and his purple hippo are a bonded pair, so if you aren’t ready for a 4 year old Chocolate Lab to come home when you adopt your fuzzy Hippopotamus…well, sorry, we can’t approve your application. The hippo won’t let us get an age on her, but we don’t think she’s quite as old as Hank..They’ve been together a long time though. She IS spayed and current on vaccinations, but does seem a bit lethargic. Hank is most definitely not. They do say that opposites attract…. #fvha #foxvalleyhumaneassociation #adoptme #adoptdontshop #labsofinstagram #rescuedog #chocolatelab #shelterdog #fuzzypurplehippo

A post shared by Fox Valley Humane Association (@foxvalleyhumane) on Jul 7, 2017 at 9:30pm PDT

That love was put in serious jeopardy, however, earlier this month, when Fuzzy Purple Hippo was discovered one morning with serious injuries. Animal shelter employees feared the worst: ATTEMPTED MURDER.

UPDATE: The Fuzzy Purple Hippo, bonded with Hank, who we told you about last week has had a medical emergency. Dr. Laura is currently performing life-saving surgery to repair the near-decapitation. Details of the incident which caused the injury are murky, as Hank is refusing to answer our questions. (Yes, we have tried sternly asking, “what did you DO??” but he only looks away with a guilty look on his face.) Please keep the Fuzzy Purple Hippo in your thoughts. We will continue to keep you updated. #fvha #foxvalleyhumaneassociation #shelterlife #fuzzypurplehippo

A post shared by Fox Valley Humane Association (@foxvalleyhumane) on Jul 11, 2017 at 2:57pm PDT

Luckily, Fuzzy Purple Hippo survived.

UPDATE: Fuzzy Purple Hippo is resting comfortably (despite the cone of shame) back in her kennel with Hank this morning. She is groggy from pain medication and her demeanor seems a bit flat, but we are hopeful for a full recovery. Dr. Laura decided to leave her wounds open to allow for drainage and perform a full stuffing extraction to avoid future surgery (for Hank…shhhhh.) We will continue to keep you posted. #fvha #foxvalleyhumaneassociation #shelterlife #fuzzypurplehippo #adoptme

A post shared by Fox Valley Humane Association (@foxvalleyhumane) on Jul 12, 2017 at 8:06am PDT

But the investigation into Fuzzy Purple Hippo’s apparent assault continued.

UPDATE: Since yesterday’s casual questioning brought no results, Hank was brought in for a formal interrogation into the assault of his companion, the Fuzzy Purple Hippo. As of 11:00am Hank’s jowls remain firmly closed regarding the incident. #fuzzypurplehippo #fvha #foxvalleyhumaneassociation #adoptme #shelterlife

A post shared by Fox Valley Humane Association (@foxvalleyhumane) on Jul 12, 2017 at 9:39am PDT

Fuzzy Purple Hippo, meanwhile, went to see a therapist.

UPDATE: Fuzzy Purple Hippo met with a therapist this morning to discuss whether or not she feels safe in her relationship with Hank. Although their love for one another is very apparent, we want to be sure that there are no underlying issues and that she is not suffering from any emotional scars from her injuries. HIPPO laws prohibit her therapist from disclosing what she said in their session. …wait…we meant HIPPA laws, sorry. **Domestic violence and PTSD are serious issues. If you or someone you know are are suffering, help is available! The National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-SAFE PTSD USA Helpline 877-717-PTSD #fuzzypurplehippo #fvha #foxvalleyhumaneassociation #shelterlife

A post shared by Fox Valley Humane Association (@foxvalleyhumane) on Jul 13, 2017 at 9:05am PDT

Hank lawyered up.

UPDATE: Hank met with his Humane Officer-appointed Attorney this morning to discuss the allegations of Hippossault. Although no formal charges have been filed, there are no other suspects at this time. His attorney has advised him to plead the 5th. #fuzzypurplehippo #fvha #foxvalleyhumaneassociation #shelterlife

A post shared by Fox Valley Humane Association (@foxvalleyhumane) on Jul 13, 2017 at 9:27am PDT

But even after Hank’s arrest, protesters asserted that the adorable four-year-old dog was innocent.

UPDATE: picketers have now arrived at the shelter who believe in Hank’s innocence. #fuzzypurplehippo #fvha #foxvalleyhumaneassociation #shelterlife #freehank

A post shared by Fox Valley Humane Association (@foxvalleyhumane) on Jul 13, 2017 at 9:59am PDT

Investigators began to study the case further.

UPDATE: Chief Thomas, of the Appleton Police Department, and K9 Blue (APD’s Therapy Dog in-training) came to FVHA this afternoon to examine evidence found in Hank and the Fuzzy Purple Hippo’s kennel. We are confident that with the exceptional investigative skills of Blue and the Chief, the case of the Hippossault will be closed soon. A formal announcement from the chief has been scheduled for tomorrow morning. (Swipe to view all photos) @appletonpolicedepartment #fuzzypurplehippo #fvha #foxvalleyhumaneassociation #shelterlife #therapydog

A post shared by Fox Valley Humane Association (@foxvalleyhumane) on Jul 13, 2017 at 2:50pm PDT

And what they found surprised everyone. Hank was not only innocent—he had been trying to save Fuzzy Purple Hippo’s LIFE!

APPLETON POLICE CHIEF THOMAS RELEASES OFFICIAL STATEMENT REGARDING FINDINGS OF HANK’S INVESTIGATION The evidence, as well as information garnered from discussions with Hank and his attorney and the Fuzzy Purple Hippo and her therapist have brought the full story to light. Hank is not only INNOCENT, but a hero! Read the full, sometimes hard to read yet deeply romantic account of the events leading up to the discovery of the tragedy on our Facebook page later this morning. @appletonpolicedepartment @nbc26_gb #fuzzypurplehippo #fvha #foxvalleyhumaneassociation #shelterlife

A post shared by Fox Valley Humane Association (@foxvalleyhumane) on Jul 14, 2017 at 4:03am PDT

APPLETON CHIEF OF POLICE EXONORATES HANK OF ALL WRONGDOING IN OFFICIAL STATEMENT!!

Through the joint efforts of a…

Posted by Fox Valley Humane Association on Friday, July 14, 2017

Fuzzy Purple Hippo and Hank will presumably live happily ever after in their new family, but if you want to support the other critters living at Fox Valley, you can donate to the organization through its website.

[h/t Mashable]