Heartwarming twist after animal cruelty reports
When the police received several reports regarding the welfare of a dog being pulled along in a bicycle trailer, they immediately sent officers out to investigate.
Animal control officers in Staunton, Virginia, US, managed to track down the pooch in question, and while Diva was safe, she was in need of some TLC.
The local community quickly rallied round with the owner of Staunton Dog Wash coming in on her day off to give Diva a much-needed wash while the Staunton Veterinary Clinic provided medication.
After speaking with the dog’s owner, authorities discovered he was Flynn Donoho – a selfless campaigner who has already cycled 8000km around the US perimeter to raise funds for cancer research.
The 60-year-old relies on the goodwill of residents in the towns he passes through for he and Diva to get by.
Mr Donoho, a former drug addict, was inspired to cycle across the US non-stop following his brother and sister-in-law who both battled cancer.
"After all these stories and all these miles I can say there ain't no one who ain't been affected by cancer," Mr Donoho told The Herald Dispatch.
"I don't care who you are. I've never met someone who says they don't know someone with cancer."
Mr Donoho first set off in 2011. Diva has been by his side for the last seven years.
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter, download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play and stay up to date with the latest news with Yahoo’s daily newsletter. Sign up here.
