Absolutely horrified. That’s how employees at the Griffith Animal Hospital in Indiana reacted when a man walked through their doors Thursday night carrying a puppy whose mouth was taped shut.

Lori Kovacich, hospital manager, told Watchdog Mary when she heard about the case she could not get to the puppy fast enough. “I was out of my chair and in the lobby to get him in seconds. I think I kinda had tunnel vision,” she said.

Kovacich said the man claimed he found the puppy in a ditch with his nose wrapped in electrical tape. She raced the dog back to the medical team immediately, and didn’t stop to ask questions. She was worried the pup’s life was at risk. “In my panic, I didn’t even get all the info of where he was found,” Kovacich said.

Veterinarians examined the puppy and discovered he was emaciated, and his flesh was rotting under the tape. They estimate the tape must have been around his muzzle for days.

Their staff removed the tape and gave the pup antibiotic injections and ointment.

The pup, which vets estimate is about four-months old, was actually quite hungry. “He would eat as much as you gave him,” Kovacich said.

The terrier mix is now starting to recover and act like a puppy. He’s getting lots of love and care from the staff at the animal hospital, and some stuffed animal friends.

One of the hospital’s clients, whose dog recently passed away, texted Kovacich expressing interest in the pup. She has her fingers crossed he may have a forever home soon.

Kovacich said in her thirty years of working with animals she’s never seen anything like this.

What astonished her the most is the pup’s spirit and resiliency despite everything he’s gone through. “It makes you want to cry! He’s known nothing but abuse, but wags his tail when you talk to him, snuggles up against you, and rolls over for a belly rub. He trusts us,” she said.

Kovacich is going to contact local animal control officers about the circumstances surrounding how the pup was found.

Watchdog Mary will keep you posted on what happens!