A dog in the U.S. was miraculously rescued after suffering a deep, infected wound on his snout—believed to have been caused by his former owner cruelly taping his mouth shut. Despite the abuse, the dog, named Jude, remains remarkably affectionate and wags his tail excitedly whenever he sees people.
Jude, a Pitbull mix just one day old when found wandering the streets, was rescued thanks to a call to the Rescue Dogs Rock NYC network. The infection on his snout was so severe that much of the tissue was missing, and the wound had eaten deep into the nasal cavity.
It’s suspected that the previous owner taped Jude’s mouth shut—perhaps in response to facial injuries—and when the tape was removed, it tore off the already damaged and infected skin, leaving behind a gaping wound.
According to Hayley Zielinski, 48, co-founder of the rescue organization, Jude had also lost several teeth, had reduced hearing in one ear, and struggled to breathe due to the trauma inflicted on him. She described the case as a “textbook example of animal abuse.”
Veterinarians estimate that Jude will need around $10,000 USD for reconstructive surgery, skin grafts, infection treatment, and nasal repair. Despite all this, Jude remains friendly and trusting, always wagging his tail and seeking human affection.
Zielinski said:
“You have to see it to believe it. His upper lip is almost gone, and his snout is severely infected, but he still wags his tail at everyone. He’s incredibly sweet and hopeful—an absolute miracle.”
The organization is now raising funds to cover Jude’s medical bills and ensure he receives the long-term care he needs to fully recover and, hopefully, find a loving home.