Occasionally, humans commit monstrous acts that make the rest of us ashamed to be part of the same species. People are much worse than animals. Wild animals attack when hungry or scared - they never kill or torture for pleasure.
The heroine of this story was buried alive and then left to die by a sadistic owner who not only tortured her but also buried her alive. French Mastiff Athena (Dogue De Bordeaux). The good Samaritan who found her buried alive was walking his dog when he discovered her. When he looked down, there was something sticking out of the ground. Upon realizing it was the dog's head, he knew that he needed to act immediately.
On August 4, Athena was discovered buried alive. Due to her shallow burial, she was the only part of her body that was exposed, and her head must have been freed by herself.
Photo source: Pedro Dinis
Because she was anchored to the ground, she wasn't able to fully free herself.
Photo source: Pedro Dinis
Her health was very poor and she was dehydrated. When she was rescued, she was very calm.
Photo source: Pedro Dinis
Another pooch gave a helping paw to her rescuer. The pooch's name is Goddess. Athena and Goddess are both very appropriate.
Photo source: Pedro Dinis
During the rescue, the dog was continually encouraged by the goddess.
Photo source: Pedro Dinis
Her rescuer gave Athena small sips of water when she was dehydrated. A dehydrated animal might become ill if a large amount of water is given all at once.
Photo source: Pedro Dinis
Rescuers used their hands instead of shovels, so the process was slow because they did not want to hurt the dog.
Photo source: Pedro Dinis
She was treated for shock and dehydration at a local vet clinic. They concluded that she was at least 10 years old and had been severely abused for many years.
Photo source: Pedro Dinis
Athena poses with her new Rottweiler friends in the photo below. With a supportive family and friends, she is learning how to adjust to life on her own.
Photo source: Pedro Dinis
Thanks to the ID tag, the authorities were able to find Athena's owner. Athena was found near a vacant lot in Paris when the man lived nearby. The man denied any involvement in this incident, claiming she had escaped.
The evidence, however, pointed in a different direction. I could tell that the dog had suffered abuse for a long time and she suffered from osteoarthritis, meaning that she would be unable to run away.
Saturday afternoon, the 21-year-old dog owner was arrested and charged with cruelty to animals. The case will be heard in May. Petitioners have called for the maximum sentence, which would be two years in prison and a fine of $33,000.
According to the petitioners, animal cruelty is just one step away from hurting a human being, so they are asking that bail be denied to him as well.
