Animal suffering should be the stuff of nightmares—but sadly, it’s real and far too common.
In Lanús, Argentina, two young men discovered a horrifying sight: a strange, sticky creature crawling from a ditch. At first frightened, they soon realized it was a dog—covered entirely in toxic tar.
The smell was unbearable, and the dog could barely move. The men quickly sought help and found a police officer, who brought the dog to the local animal welfare group, Zoonosis Lanús.
The volunteers were shocked. Tar had soaked deep into the dog’s fur and skin, and washing it off with soap and water was useless. Eventually, using oil and spatulas, they spent five exhausting hours removing the tar.
They named him Petróleo.
Though weak and poisoned, Petróleo responded to treatment and even managed a hearty meal. He’s now on the road to recovery—thanks to the kindness of two strangers and tireless volunteers.
Petróleo is now looking for a forever home filled with love and care. Groups like Zoonosis Lanús remind us how vital animal rescue efforts are.