In a heart-wrenching turn of events, a distressing photo of a canine resting on a soiled sofa caught the attention of a compassionate individual. Without hesitation, she rushed to the scene to rescue the helpless dog.

A concerned social media user, en route to the gas station, spotted an underweight dog and recognized the perilousness of its situation. Determined to provide refuge for the canine, they swiftly took action, knowing that it was not a safe place for the dog to stay.

At daybreak, Rickie embarked on her journey to the petrol station, mindful of the dark and risky surroundings upon her arrival. She wasted no time in issuing an appeal for help on Facebook, rallying support from the online community to aid in the search for the dog.

The following morning, accompanied by two volunteers, Rickie returned to the area in search of the dog. Knocking on doors and enquiring with locals, they scoured the neighborhood until a small female dog named Tessa emerged, leading them back to where the distressed canine was found.

They named him Aniken, and Rickie was overcome with emotion at the sight of him. Rushing him and Tessa to the vet, they were met with the grim reality of Aniken’s condition – he was in a terrible state.

Upon examination, it was revealed that Aniken was covered in parasites and had been used as a bait dog for hunting target practice. His teeth had been forcibly removed to prevent him from fighting back, and his wounds had been crudely sewn up by hand, resulting in severe infections.

The scars on his face bore witness to the unimaginable suffering he had endured as a bait dog, a fate that Rickie described as ‘horrifying’. Despite the challenges ahead, Aniken found solace in the comfort provided by a compassionate nurse at the hospital, who offered him cuddly toys for companionship.

Aniken’s journey towards healing and recovery may be fraught with obstacles, but gone are the days of torment and torture as a bait dog. With each passing day, he moves closer towards a future filled with hope and the promise of a better life, leaving behind the horrors of his past.