It looked like an ordinary drive along the river. Then Audra Petraškienė saw a dog that never should have made it out of the water.
A Drive That Changed Course
In June 2018, Audra Petraškienė was driving near her home in a small Lithuanian town when she noticed a dog standing at the roadside, drenched and trembling. She stopped her car and went over to check on him.
As she got closer, she saw why the dog looked so frightened. A heavy piece of metal had been attached to his neck as a makeshift anchor. It weighed about 13 pounds, more than enough to hold a dog under the surface.
“Somebody Put a Heavy Metal Item on His Neck”
Audra’s daughter, Andra, described what they believed had happened to The Dodo: “Apparently, somebody put a heavy metal item on his neck and dropped him in the river to drown.” How the dog escaped remains a mystery, but he managed to get out of the water and onto dry land.
Audra, who burst into tears at the sight, was clear about what to do next. “I realized I have to do something immediately,” she said, according to Bored Panda. She called the dog kind and helpless, and she filmed part of the rescue to share on Facebook.
Warm, Dry and Safe
Audra took the dog home, removed the heavy metal from his neck and wiped him down with a towel to warm him up. Then she took him to a veterinarian, who found that he had no serious injuries. Andra called him “a real fighter.”
Audra also reported the incident to police. She hopes whoever was responsible will be held accountable.
Who Did It? Still Unclear
According to Newsner, police later located the dog’s owner, though how and why the dog ended up in the river was never clearly explained. A Facebook post at the time suggested it may have been an act of revenge by a neighbor of the owner. This has not been officially confirmed. In the meantime, Audra placed the dog in a shelter while the situation was resolved.
Andra says her mother has always loved animals. “She loves animals and always takes care of them,” she said. “I am very proud of her.”
What to Do If You Find an Animal in Danger
Audra’s quick thinking made a difference. If you ever come across an animal in distress, these steps can help:
- Stay safe first. Don’t enter fast or deep water, and call emergency services if the situation is risky.
- Document what you see. Photos and video help police and animal welfare officers.
- Call the authorities. Contact local police or animal control and file a report.
- Get a vet check. Even if the animal seems fine, a veterinarian can spot problems that aren’t obvious.
- Scan for a microchip. Vets and shelters can check for an owner’s details.
Be Ready for the Unexpected
Rescues like this one can lead to unexpected costs for the people who step in:
- Pet insurance. Compare pet insurance plans, emergency vet coverage and dog health insurance.
- Veterinary care. Look up emergency vet clinics near me and low-cost vet services.
- Identification. Consider microchip implants for dogs, GPS dog collars and engraved ID tags.
- Giving back. Explore animal shelter donations, foster programs and dog adoption near me.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who rescued the dog? Audra Petraškienė, a woman from Lithuania, found him at the roadside near a river close to her home in June 2018.
What was around his neck? A heavy metal object that worked as a makeshift anchor and weighed about 13 pounds.
Was the dog badly hurt? No. A veterinarian found that he had no serious injuries, though he was cold and frightened.
Who was responsible? It remains unclear. Police reportedly found the dog’s owner, and a Facebook post suggested a neighbor may have acted out of revenge, but nothing has been confirmed.
Where is the dog now? Audra placed him in an animal shelter while the situation was resolved, with hopes that he will find a loving home.
Sources: AmoMama, Bored Panda, Animal Scene, and Newsner, all covering Audra Petraškienė’s June 2018 rescue of a dog with a 13-pound anchor tied to his neck near a river in Lithuania, including statements her daughter Andra gave to The Dodo.
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