When Audra Petraškienė was driving along a quiet road near her home in Lithuania, she almost didn’t notice the small shape huddled by the riverbank.
But as she slowed down, her heart dropped — it was a drenched, trembling dog, barely able to stand.
Something was terribly wrong.
Audra pulled over and rushed to help. That’s when she saw it — a heavy metal object tied around the dog’s neck. It wasn’t an accident. Someone had tried to drown him.
“Apparently, somebody put a heavy metal item on his neck and dropped him in the river to drown,” Audra’s daughter Andra told The Dodo. “The dog was scared and shaking from cold as well.”
Petraškienė recorded the moment she came to the poor pup's rescue.
Somehow, against all odds, the dog had fought his way back to the surface. Audra gently freed him from the cruel anchor and recorded the moment she pulled him to safety — a soaked, shivering survivor who refused to give up.
“He’s a real fighter,” Andra said.
Audra brought the dog home, where she carefully removed the metal, dried his fur, and wrapped him in warmth. Then she took him straight to the vet for a full checkup.
Miraculously, the dog hadn’t suffered serious injuries. Exhausted but alive, he’s now resting and recovering under Audra’s care — safe at last.
Police have been notified, and Audra hopes whoever committed this horrific act will be found and held accountable.
For now, the brave pup is surrounded by kindness, cared for by the woman who refused to look away.
“She will definitely do what’s best for this dog,” Andra said. “I am very proud of her. She loves animals and always takes care of them.”
Thanks to Audra’s compassion, a life that someone tried to throw away now has a second chance.
