A terminally ill Bridgeport woman says her service dog was accidently run over by her home aide, and now requires emergency surgery to survive.

Joanne Morales, 47, of Bridgeport, suffers from terminal cancer, and says she depends on her 5-month-old service dog Bella who was recently run over by a car.

Morales says Bella is more than a friend and a companion because the service animal recently saved her life by alerting family members when she was having a seizure.

Morales says one of her home care aides accidentally ran Bella over with his car in the driveway right in front of her home on Wednesday.

Veterinary records show the animal suffered severe internal injuries and has been coughing up blood and suffering seizures.

Because Morales couldn't afford the emergency medical care necessary to save the animal's life, Bella is home with her, suffering the effects of her injuries.

Morales is trying to raise enough money to get Bella treated so the dog can recover and continue helping her for whatever time she has left. To donate, call Morales at 860-869-6412 or click here.