It was just a normal day when Audra Petraškienė from Lithuania found herself in an unexpected situation while driving through her quiet little town. What began as a simple drive turned into a matter of life or death when Audra spotted a wet and shivering dog on the side of the road.

Concerned, Audra stopped her car and approached the dog, carefully. As she got closer, she noticed a heavy metal anchor tied around its neck, indicating a cruel attempt on its life. “I was shocked. Just thinking about it makes me want to cry,” Audra said. “I realized I have to do something immediately.”

Torio relaxes after being rescued. Photo by Audra Petraškienė

“Apparently, somebody put a heavy metal item on his neck and dropped him in the river to drown,” her daughter, Andra, said. “The dog was scared and shaking from cold as well.” Without hesitation, Audra took the dog home, cleaned him up, and brought him to a vet for a check-up. Thankfully, despite the ordeal, the dog seemed to be in decent health.

He looked like a kind and helpless dog,” Audra said.

She didn’t stop there. She reported the incident to the police and shared the story on social media, hoping to find answers and justice for the dog. The dog went viral and his owner came forward immediately. The owner, his identity withheld for privacy, said that since he lives in a small village, he often let Torio run loose, knowing he would come back home safely.

Torio is carried into the vet after being rescued. Photo by Audra Petraškienė

The man said that on the morning that Torio disappeared, he had been at a doctor’s appointment. When he got back home, he realized he couldn’t find the dog. “I drove around town and after a while an acquaintance called and asked if my Tori was home. I say no,” the owner said. “He then told me to look at Facebook – there was a video uploaded by a woman in which he recognized my Tory,” he said.

Torio’s owner thinks that a neighbor, who he claims is known for producing the sort of block that Torio had been chained to, was likely the responsible one. While police have not confirmed or denied this, the neighbor was allegedly angry that the un-neutered Torio was attempting to visit his female dog, according to the owner.

For Andra, all of this is just a reminder of how kind her mom is, and how important it is to take proper care of your pets. “I am very proud of her,” Andra said of her mother. “She loves animals and always takes care of them.” Watch below for a look at Torio’s rescue.

Sources: The Dodo | Bored Panda