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It’s a story that begins with unimaginable cruelty, but ends with hope.
This morning, a shocking discovery was made when Animal Control responded to a call from the staff at Sweet and Associates in Omaha, Nebraska. An employee had heard strange noises coming from the dumpster the night before. Initially thinking it was a raccoon, she hesitated to investigate, unsure of what she’d find in the dark. But when staff arrived the following morning, they were horrified to discover a small dog trapped inside.
The poor pup was in a truly heart-wrenching condition: his entire head was wrapped in duct tape, as were his front and back legs and tail. His fur was matted with food and other debris, making it clear that he’d been suffering for some time.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” said Kevin W., one of the employees who found the dog. “The tape was so tight, his whole muzzle was covered. His eyes were taped shut, and even his paws were bound. It was devastating.”
The poor pup was in a truly heart-wrenching condition: his entire head was wrapped in duct tape, as were his front and back legs and tail. His fur was matted with food and other debris, making it clear that he’d been suffering for some time.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” said Kevin W., one of the employees who found the dog. “The tape was so tight, his whole muzzle was covered. His eyes were taped shut, and even his paws were bound. It was devastating.”
A Miraculous Rescue
Animal Control responded quickly, rushing the dog to the Nebraska Humane Society (NHS), where he was immediately sedated for treatment. Shelter staff carefully removed the duct tape and cleaned the dog’s fur, which was caked in grime. Due to the tape’s tightness, they had to shave his fur to fully remove all of the debris.
Despite the traumatic ordeal, the dog, who was later named Leo, showed incredible resilience. Though he had mild skin irritation, he was otherwise healthy and surprisingly in good spirits. Once the tape was off, Leo perked up and began wagging his tail, a hopeful sign that this sweet dog still had faith in humans.
A Heartwarming Twist
After the tape was removed, the team scanned Leo for a microchip. To their relief, they found one — and it led them straight to Leo’s owner, Erin Dillon-Pasillas. Erin had reported Leo missing on April 11 after he had slipped out of the house while she was taking her son to school. She had spent weeks calling shelters, posting flyers, and hoping that Leo would be found safe.
When Erin was contacted by the humane society, she could hardly believe it. “He’s the sweetest dog! I don’t know why anyone would do this,” Erin said, her voice filled with emotion. “I’m so grateful he’s safe. I’m going to give him a nice bath, take him to the vet for a full check-up, and make sure he gets all the love he deserves.”
The Investigation Continues
The location where Leo was found — behind the business in an isolated area with no cameras — makes it difficult to determine who committed this cruel act. However, NHS is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Animal Control is urging anyone with information to come forward.
A special thanks also goes to Kevin W. and Judy O. of Sweet and Associates, who saved Leo’s life by discovering him in time. Just a half hour after Animal Control responded to the call, a trash truck came to empty the dumpster, meaning Leo’s life was spared by mere minutes.
