Animal lovers across Spain have been left horrified after a dog was discovered trapped in an irrigation channel with a brick tied to its body.
The shocking incident unfolded in Llano de Brujas, a district on the outskirts of Murcia, where a passer-by stumbled upon the terrified dog struggling in the water.
Just a few metres away, rescuers also found a soaked puppy believed to be her offspring.
The pair were saved thanks to the quick actions of Alejandro Lopez and his wife, who came across the scene and immediately intervened.
Video footage of the rescue, later shared on social media by animal rights activist Manuel Garcia, shows the frightened adult dog trapped inside the channel with a brick attached to her body, while the puppy had managed to reach a small patch of safety among nearby vegetation.
Deliberate act suspected
According to Garcia, all indications suggest the animals were intentionally thrown into the irrigation channel.
The adult dog was found with the brick still attached, while the puppy was discovered alone and drenched nearby.
Fortunately, the water level was not high enough to completely submerge the mother, a factor that likely saved her life before help arrived.
The footage has already attracted tens of thousands of views online and sparked widespread outrage.
Many social media users have called for the person responsible to be identified and prosecuted.
‘What kind of human being could do something like that?’ wrote one commenter.
‘There are no limits to cruelty,’ added another.
Manhunt for culprit
Animal welfare campaigners are now appealing for information that could help identify whoever abandoned the dogs.
The case has once again highlighted the ongoing issue of animal abandonment and mistreatment in Spain, a problem that rescue organisations say remains far too common despite tougher animal welfare laws in recent years.
For now, attention has turned to the recovery of the rescued pair, who survived what many online have described as a near-tragedy.
Meanwhile, campaigners hope the viral footage will help track down the person responsible and ensure they face the consequences of their actions.
