A remarkable tale of animal heroism unfolded when a 10-year-old Basset Hound ran away from her neglectful home and saved tens of other animals. The dog, now aptly named Hero, escaped wearing an ID tag that led animal control officers to a house with 38 animals in dire need of rescue.
Hero sparked a rescue effort that saved 36 dogs, a chicken, and a cat from a life of neglect and suffering. The shelter staff recognised the dogs’ incredible bravery when naming her:
“We’ve given her a name that’s worthy of her and a last name of Salvare, which means to save and protect,” said shelter staff at Humane Society of Concord and Greater Cabarrus County in North Carolina, USA.
Judy Sims, the Executive Director of the Humane Society Concord described the terrible state that some of the animals came to the shelter in: “Some were in small cages, some sleeping on feces in beds, some had injuries, several were emaciated. They were filthy. Most had medical issues,”.
The Humane Society took in 15 of the dogs themselves, including Hero, with several other smaller animal rescues taking in the others. Members of the community pitched in to help cover medical and other expenses for the rescued animals.
“Despite Hero’s sad backstory, she’s proof that dogs are resilient creatures that only show love that is unconditional,” the shelter wrote.
A new home worthy for a Hero
Thankfully many of the animals including Hero and her two friends, Dave and Elsa, have now been adopted. Dave is a very sweet American Bully who had large open wounds and muscle loss over his body, but now over a month later has fully recovered and even put on 5kg of weight. Whilst Elsa is an English Bulldog who according to the Humane Society is “sweet with all people and is always looking for something to investigate.”
