A foster dog’s painful past of being zip-tied around his mouth left viewers in a puddle of tears.
Keri Kirk received a text from Rescue Me WV, an animal rescue organization, asking if people would be interested in fostering or adopting pets. Once she heard about Max’s previous situation of abuse, Kirk couldn’t say no. She wanted to give the 6-month-old pup a new, positive outlook on life after what he had endured.
“They explained that he had been zip-tied around the muzzle and possibly front paws as well, per scarring marks,” Kirk told Newsweek. “He was also in starvation mode, weighing in at only 6 lbs.”
She shared on her TikTok account @keleki84 that his previous owners used a zip tie to close the pup’s mouth, claiming he barked “too much” and kept the kids up at night. The pictures show scars and gashes around the dog’s snout.
“His scarring will most likely be permanent, but we feel like it makes him unique and is part of his story,” Kirk said.
When she first welcomed home Max as a foster pup, he came with a “slew of medication,” which he needed to take several times a day. He ate from a slow-feeder, due to his food obsession, with a strict feeding schedule.
“When they tried to give him food for the first time, he ate it so fast, his body went into shock and he had a seizure,” Kirk said.
Considering the trauma he’s been through, Kirk said the puppy’s been doing great. She is currently working on his “typical puppy struggles,” such as chewing and potty training, but since becoming his foster mom, Kirk has noticed progress in the right direction.
She found him to be defiant, making the training more difficult compared to her other dogs, which Kirk believes is due to his past. But she’s hopeful that with the help of a dog trainer, Max will be on the right path.
“He despises his crate—probably because that is where he lived while with the previous owners, so that made us going anywhere very difficult,” she said. “We are now able to leave him out during the day, though, with minimal issues.”
But despite the training struggles and food obsession, Max quickly became an integral part of the family, Kirk said. He loves her children, especially her 8-year-old daughter. Plus, he’s become besties with Molly, the senior mini dachshund.
The family was not planning on adding another pet to their household, but they’re interested in adopting him. They’re current priority is to budget for a fence installation in the yard, which will allow Max a secure and spacious area to play.
While the previous owners surrendered him to Rescue Me WV, they did so after being confronted about the treatment of their animals. The couple is being charged with one count of felony cruelty to animals and six counts of misdemeanor cruelty to animals, The Journal reported. Animal control officers found, in addition to Max, two cats and two bearded dragons at the home.
Viewer Reactions
The June 25 TikTok video, which reached over 243,400 views, left people heartbroken and confused that someone would do this to an animal.
“Society has become so cruel. Humans are the sickest of all,” wrote one viewer.
“I don’t have words! Who could be so evil! Look at that precious face,” another commenter said.
“I’m so sorry, sweetheart. Thank you for taking him in. God bless you. Max, remember that you are loved, sweetheart,” a third person commented.
