Death Row to Deputy: Meet Minna!

Some dogs are born for greatness—they just need a chance to prove it.

Minna, formerly known as Estelle, was nearly out of chances. She was pulled from a high-kill shelter, where she sat on death row, her time running out. If not for the Humane Society for Hamilton County (Indiana) stepping in, Minna wouldn’t be here today. They saw past her medical struggles—heartworm and other urgent health issues—and gave her the care she needed to survive. Even now, her shaved patches from treatment are still growing back, a quiet reminder of how close she came to never seeing a second chance.

And what a second chance it is.

Minna’s unstoppable spirit shines through every single day. Sweet, driven, and overflowing with love, she greets everyone she meets with big, heartfelt hugs before flipping the switch into work mode. She’s toy-driven, laser-focused, and proved to be a natural in her training.

We are thinking she’s a Black Mouth Cur, the same breed as Old Yeller in the classic novel. But once we run a DNA test, we’re pretty sure the results will confirm what we already know—she’s 100% good girl.

Where there was once darkness, Minna now shines brighter than ever. She has a home, a family, and a badge.

Today, Minna proudly serves with the Madison County Sheriff's Department as a narcotics detection, tracking, and article detection K9. From death row to deputy, Minna has not only rewritten her story—she’s helping change lives every day.

Welcome to the Thin Blue Line, Minna. You were always meant for this.