Soul-shattered dog was intentionally hurt after being ‘rehomed.’ He needs a new family
.jpeg "Ashton is a kind hearted, sweet dog who just wants to be near people.")
A dog with a gentle heart in Indiana is on the mend after experiencing not only physical abuse, but emotional abuse as well.
Ashton, a three-year-old terrier, pit bull mix, was a former stray who was adopted by a family in 2023, his pet profile said. However, life for the kind pup took a turn for the worse.
“Adopted from us, Ashton’s first family struggled to make it work. He was high-energy, with a strong prey drive and a tendency to escape, no matter how high the fence. Despite their best efforts, they were unable to manage his behavior,” the Humane Society for Hamilton County in Fishers said in a Facebook reel Nov. 21.
The family had young kids, so they made the decision to give him up, the shelter noted.
“In August 2024, they made the heartbreaking decision to rehome Ashton, hoping he would find peace with a new family,” the shelter said.
“He was later found in a vacant apartment, where he was purposefully trapped with another animal,” the shelter said. “The cruelty he faced was intentional, and Ashton was left injured, terrified and traumatized by the abuse he endured.”
After Ashton was discovered, he was taken to the vet to heal.
“With every challenge he’s faced, he’s remained the sweetest, most loyal companion. Despite everything, Ashton still loves a good cuddle, melting into his favorite people for comfort and closeness,” his pet profile says. “He’s living proof of resilience, with a spirit as strong as it is loving.”
It will take some time for Ashton to heal, but he’s considered a “Velcro dog” who adores humans and “craves connection and love” the shelter says.
Ashton is looking for a calm house with no young children or cats — one where he can get the love and affection he was denied in the past.
For more information on Ashton, visit the shelter’s website.
Fishers is about a 20-mile drive northeast from Indianapolis.
This story was originally published November 22, 2024 at 1:16 PM with the headline "Soul-shattered dog was intentionally hurt after being ‘rehomed.’ He needs a new family."