[4] Susie was adopted by Donna Smith Lawrence, who had been seriously injured in an attack by a pit bull, which she had befriended, several months prior.
[5] LaShawn Whitehead received a two-year prison sentence on conviction of indecent liberties with a minor and burning his girlfriend's personal property, according to records of the North Carolina Department of Correction.
The 2013 film Susie's Hope by Uplifting Entertainment focuses on the Lawrences' story and their work to protect vulnerable animals.
Jon Provost, former child actor on CBS's Lassie, appeared as then North Carolina State Senator Don Vaughan, a Democrat from Greensboro who pushed for passage of Susie's Law.
[6][7] Susie subsequently became a certified therapy dog, and was regularly taken to schools, churches, and hospitals to warn of the danger of animal abuse and to promote kindness and respect.