A little puppy, beaten and abandoned, has found safety in the arms of rescuers at Stray Rescue of St. Louis, thanks to a call from a concerned Good Samaritan. The caller informed them about a distressed puppy hiding among a pile of waste where neighbors often discard their trash and unwanted belongings.

It was a cruel act by an individual who believed that the puppy belonged there.

Rescuers discovered that the puppy, named Chowder, had wounds on his face. “He’s just a tiny puppy! His eyes are swollen, and he has puncture wounds on his face. Despite everything he has been through, he is remarkably happy,” Stray Rescue wrote on Facebook. “He is safe now.”

When Donna approached Chowder, he wagged his tail and allowed her to pick him up. The Good Samaritan informed them that there were people in the neighborhood involved in dog fighting, including pit bulls. Poor Chowder was likely used as a bait dog and was bitten by a larger dog.

As soon as they placed Chowder in the car, he buried his head in one of their shoulders, seeking comfort.

“He just buried his face in our arms during his freedom ride,” they wrote. “The thought of someone mistreating him brings tears to our eyes. This little angel needs us. We are incredibly grateful to the callers for taking action.”

After seeing the heart-wrenching photos, one of Stray Rescue’s supporters commented, “It’s as if he is transferring the weight of his pain onto the shoulders of someone who will heal him! Oh, my heart!”

Chowder is now on his way to a happy life. Once he has received the necessary medical care, he will be ready to find his forever home.