Save Bella ... the German Shepherd whose life is in limbo. Source: Supplied

Connie Lay of Aurora, Indiana, passed away on November 25, and asked that her dog Bella be buried with her.

Bella, Lay’s beloved German Shepherd, is still alive. It is understood she has no medical reasons to be put down.

Lay’s lawyer Doug Denmure told WCPO Cincinnati that her will states Bella must be euthanased, cremated and buried with her — or sent to an animal shelter in Utah.

“(Lay) made provisions that in the event of her death, she wanted her very close friend to take charge of the dog,” Denmure said.

“…She also then requested that the dog be put to sleep, cremated and that the dog’s ashes be placed with her own ashes.”

The dog’s life is in the hands of Lay’s close friends, who have put plans to euthanase her on hold.

Mr Denmure said Lay’s will allows her friends the option to send Bella to Best Friends Animal Society in Utah.

But if the move is “not possible” or “too much expense,” the dog has to be put down.

Currently, Bella is living at PAWS of Dearborn County Humane Center in Indiana.

PAWS has released a statement, saying that Bella is still alive and will remain with them until a legal decision is made.

If she is eventually euthanased, PAWS said it will not take place at their facility.

Mr Denmure said Lay didn’t trust Bella to be around strangers as she has been aggressive in the past.

“When (Lay) died, she died at her home and the dog was in there. No one could enter the house because they were concerned the dog would attack,” he said.

He added that a local veterinarian recommended Bella be put down.

The question of what to do with Bella has sparked social media outcry on Twitter with the hashtag #SaveBella.

Many want her to be saved from death, and to live on in another person’s care.

At this stage, there is no deadline for a decision to me made on Bella’s future.

What do you think should happen to Bella? Tell us below.