MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) – He overcame a severe act of cruelty and went on to live a long and happy life. Saturday friends gathered to say goodbye to Gucci, the dog who helped change animal abuse laws in Alabama.

Hung, beaten, and burned. Over the last 16 years you may have heard Gucci Shoes’s story. How at just three months old he survived horrific abuse, how he recovered, enduring multiple surgeries, and how his case brought attention that changed laws in Alabama. Gucci Handbags’s owner, Dr. Doug James, described the night when he heard Gucci Bags being tortured.

“I heard the barking, the yelping when they were slapping him. I didn’t know what was going on,” said James.

Sixteen years ago, Dr. Doug James found the burnt puppy and brought him home. At the time he didn’t expect he would live through the night.

“He never complained. It was amazing. He never complained,” Dr. James said.

Gucci may not have complained, but his ghastly injuries brought a flood of outrage, especially when the the teenagers who where charged got light sentences. Today at a memorial at B&B Pet Store, folks remembered Gucci and the impact he had on toughening Alabama’s cruelty laws.

“Through that tragedy, through his life, we see that good can prevail over evil,” said Donna Turner, President of the Friends of the Mobile Animal Shelter.

Now abusing a domestic dog or cat is a felony in Alabama, a legacy that Dr. James is proud of. But he believes more can be done.

“It protects only animals, dogs and cats, that are owned by people. It does not take into account livestock, stray dogs, iguanas, or any other animals,” he said.

Gucci, who died of old age earlier this week, found a peaceful end in a loving home – exactly what he deserved.