logo
Animals Cats Dogs Our Channels Our Authors

Shelter Dog Hank Is The Main Suspect In The Fuzzy Purple Hippo Murder Case

Sophia
by Sophia
29 Aug 2017

Most people have that best friend they turn to for everything, from comfort during tough times to gossip, or even just to ruin their diet with fast food, but they don't feel bad because they're not the only ones doing it. Well, even animals have these kinds of friends too; it may be another animal or their human. For this dog, it was a purple stuffed hippo. The shelter dog didn't have much, but this hippo was his best friend, and they were inseparable—until something tragic happened.

[ADVERTISEMENT]

Meet Hank.

[ADVERTISEMENT]

Hank is a beautiful four-year-old Labrador, bouncy and bubbly, and super playful like most young dogs. He loved to play and spend time with his hippo, and it seemed as though they would be together forever... until...

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

[ADVERTISEMENT]

The Purple Hippo Was Brutally Attacked, and It Seemed Hank Was the Culprit!

The Purple Hippo Was Brutally Attacked, and It Seemed Hank Was the Culprit!
Humane Association

Though Hank looked guilty, he never cracked under the pressure of interrogation. The hippo underwent immediate surgery and was expected to make a full recovery.

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

The Fox Valley Humane Association launched a full investigation into who committed this act.
Humane Association

The hippo even saw a therapist to talk through the accident. They discussed the hippo's relationship with Hank, and luckily, the hippo had no hard feelings toward Hank and still loved him very much.

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

No charges were laid against Hank, but even so, the shelter had picketers arrive in the streets to plead for his innocence!

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

(Cutest picketer ever.)

The police were even brought in to check out the crime scene! The sniffer dog worked its little paws off to catch the culprit!

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

In the end, not only was Hank found innocent, but he was also a hero!

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

Good work, Hank! Thanks to this amazing story, Hank and his hippo were adopted by a loving family and are now living happily ever after!

HANK UPDATE If you did not see the full story (on our Facebook page) of what REALLY happened that fateful night when the Fuzzy Purple Hippo was injured here it is! AND if you didn't hear, both Hank and his BFF were released into the custody of this amazing family!!! ....read the long, harrowing, and romantic tale below: APPLETON CHIEF OF POLICE EXONORATES HANK OF ALL WRONGDOING IN OFFICIAL STATEMENT!! Through the joint efforts of a talented therapist, brilliant attorney, and stellar investigative team from the Appleton Police Department, the truth has been revealed! On the evening of Monday, July 10 after FVHA staff had left for the night, the Fuzzy Purple Hippo attempted to scale their kennel door. Having opposable thumbs (a design flaw at the stuffie factory?) she believed that she could open the lock if she got to the other side, then free Hank as well. The pair planned to grab a few treats from the box that they stare longingly at all day from their kennel, snag a comfy blanket from the cart in the hall, then head out to the backyard to snuggle and stargaze. The romantic night of their dreams... ...things, as you may have guessed, did not go exactly as planned... Fuzzy Purple Hippo made it to the top of the kennel door with the sort of grace and finesse not typically seen in a hippopotamus, and Hank saw his periwinkle angel in a whole new light. His big chocolate heart thumped an extra beat. As quickly as his heart had soared, it crashed...when her silky fur caught on the wire at the very top of the kennel. His heart wrenching howl could be heard throughout the shelter as she struggled to free herself but could not. Hank slid his bed to the door, made a mountain of his blankets, and climbed atop it all until he could stretch high enough to rescue his damsel in distress. Hank cared for his princess throughout the night until the staff arrived and Dr Laura could perform the life-saving surgery that she needed. Why did he not just explain what happened from the beginning and avoid the speculation and accusations, you ask? That's exactly what we wanted to know! CONTINUED IN NEXT POST..... #fuzzypurplehippo #fvha #foxvalleyhumaneassociation

A post shared by Fox Valley Humane Association (@foxvalleyhumane) on Aug 4, 2017 at 10:16am PDT

Doggos are rising above cattos in the online world. When the popular furry felines went viral, their doggo counterparts melted hearts for being too sweet for us to deserve. Check out these puppers and doggos who hilariously ruled Twitter.

Share this article:

Facebook icon Pinterest icon Tumblr icon Link icon Twitter icon

Related Articles

Discover 13 Real Animals That Look Straight Out Of A Fantasy World

Discover 13 Real Animals That Look Straight Out Of A Fantasy World

40 Animals Who Said ‘Nope’ To Normal Behavior Today

40 Animals Who Said ‘Nope’ To Normal Behavior Today

Your Pet Might Be Smarter Than You — And Here’s The Proof

Your Pet Might Be Smarter Than You — And Here’s The Proof

You’ve Never Seen Street Cats Captured Like This Before: One Photographer’s Stunning Tribute To The Felines Who Rule The City

You’ve Never Seen Street Cats Captured Like This Before: One Photographer’s Stunning Tribute To The Felines Who Rule The City

Here Are 46 Pictures Proving That Cats Have The Ability To Be Both Liquid And Solid

Here Are 46 Pictures Proving That Cats Have The Ability To Be Both Liquid And Solid

Parent Tells Dog Owner To “Choke Out” Their Dog After Elevator Encounters With Child Keeps Going Wrong

Parent Tells Dog Owner To “Choke Out” Their Dog After Elevator Encounters With Child Keeps Going Wrong

Redditors Support Man As He Shares Why He Refuses To Train A Dog Owned By His Nonchalant Inlaws

Redditors Support Man As He Shares Why He Refuses To Train A Dog Owned By His Nonchalant Inlaws

Stray Cat Chooses New Family, But Her Original Owner Isn’t Ready To Let Go

Stray Cat Chooses New Family, But Her Original Owner Isn’t Ready To Let Go

[ADVERTISEMENT]

Categories

Animals Cats Dogs

Business

About Us Advertise Contact Us

Legal

Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy DMCA Removal
 Logo
About Us Privacy DMCA Removal Terms Fact Checking Policy Contact Us Our Authors Our Channels Animals Cats Dogs

© 2026 - All Rights Reserved