An Aurora, Ind., dog that was facing a possible death sentence via its late owner’s will has received the greatest Christmas gift of all: life.

Bela, a 9-year-old male German shepherd, will be sent to Best Friends Animal Society’s sanctuary in Utah. The rescue group announced the news Tuesday evening.

“We are thrilled to announce that Bela has been released to Best Friends Animal Society and we are currently arranging his transport to our sanctuary in Kanab, Utah, where he will celebrate a warm, happy holiday with lots of treats, toys, and love,” Barbara Williamson, the rescue agency’s spokesman, said in a prepared statement.

Weather permitting, Bela could be picked up and on his way to Utah today.

Bela’s story went viral after his owner, Connie Ley of Aurora, Ind., died in late November. In her will, she stipulated that if Bela could not be transferred to the Utah rescue, he should be killed and his remains cremated for interment with her own ashes.

That request created a huge outcry and social-media firestorm as the story circulated nationwide. People called on Ms. Ley’s estate to allow the healthy dog to live, and used the hashtag #SaveBela.

Ms. Williamson said the organization learned Bela has a history of intermittent aggression. Ms. Ley was apparently concerned about how that might affect his future care without his owner.

According to the news release, Ms. Ley’s estate attorney, Doug Denmure, and a friend of Ms. Ley charged with making decisions for Bela were unaware of Best Friends’ experience in handling dogs with such special needs.

“It was this lack of information and the unfounded social-media backlash about Connie Ley, myself, and the provisions in her will about her pets that caused the delay in resolving Bela’s future,” Mr. Denmure said in the release.

Mr. Denmure has not returned calls from The Blade.

Bela was being cared for in the interim by Partners for Animal Welfare Society of Dearborn County in Lawrenceburg, Ind. The shelter also experienced some backlash from people outraged by Bela’s story, as well as a slew of requests from across the county from people wanting to adopt him.

“This is kind of an unusual situation for us here,” spokesman Amy Payne said. “He’s technically under the ownership of the estate. There’s been a humongous outpouring. While it’s fabulous, we have no legal right to make any decisions for him and are just caring for him at this point.”

Mrs. Payne said the shelter staff had not seen any signs of aggression from Bela, and that he was doing well.

She said if the estate had decided to kill Bela, the shelter would have refused to perform the euthanasia and would have directed the executors to a veterinarian instead.

Julie Lyle, director of Lucas County Canine Care & Control, said she likewise would have refused to kill a healthy dog if someone was attempting to put it down simply to be buried with a late owner.

“We would probably refer them to take care of it at their vet,” she said. “It’s an unusual situation, and we don’t usually deal with probate or wills here. When people bring in a dog to request euthanasia, there has to be a significant issue for us to euthanize it, either medically or behaviorally.”

Ms. Williamson said Bela will have all the care he needs and will work with trainers and animal behavior specialists.

“Of all those party to the unfolding events following Connie Ley’s passing, Bela has experienced the trauma of losing his lifelong companion and his home,” she said. “Our first priority is to do everything we can to make Bela’s life whole once again in keeping with Connie Ley’s wishes for her beloved dog.”

Bela’s story is an example of why it is important for pet owners to plan for the care of pets who may outlive them. Rescues such as Best Friends that offer lifetime placement for pets are often full, and cannot guarantee space will be available unless advance arrangements are made, Ms. Williamson said.

Best Friends will update the public on Bela’s progress through its Facebook page, and will use the hashtag #BelaIsSafe.

Contact Alexandra Mester: amester@theblade.com, 419-724-6066, or on Twitter @AlexMesterBlade.

First Published December 25, 2014, 5:00 a.m.