This Dog Was About To Be Put Down When He Inspired One Woman To Rescue Him

Dogs used in fighting rings suffer unimaginably at the hands of their human captors. Even when they’re rescued, many still carry the stigma of being dangerous, aggressive, and unsuitable for adoption.

Such was the story of Nico, a deaf Dogo Argentino whom rescuers believe spent the first six years of his life lonely and in constant fear as a fighting dog. When he was brought into the South LA Animal Shelter years ago, he had scars on his face and body, his teeth had been chiseled, and it appeared as if his ears were cropped with kitchen shears. At that point, the depressed and malnourished dog had given up. That’s when one photo changed his life.

While visiting the shelter, Nikki Audet with the local rescue group The Mutt Scouts snapped this photo of Nico and shared it on Facebook. It soon caught the eye of another rescuer, Kelly Gibson, who went to meet him.

While visiting the shelter, Nikki Audet with the local rescue group The Mutt Scouts snapped this photo of Nico and shared it on Facebook. It soon caught the eye of another rescuer, Kelly Gibson, who went to meet him.

YouTube /riverraven

Nico was described by the shelter as a dangerous, aggressive dog prone to biting. Still, Gibson decided to pull him to be euthanized with dignity at a local vet’s office.

Nico was described by the shelter as a dangerous, aggressive dog prone to biting. Still, Gibson decided to pull him to be euthanized with dignity at a local vet's office.

YouTube /riverraven

But as she spent time with the dog, she came to realize that he was a sweet, gentle boy who’d been misunderstood. He deserved a second chance at life, and she was willing to help him get it.

But as she spent time with the dog, she came to realize that he was a sweet, gentle boy who'd been misunderstood. He deserved a second chance at life, and she was willing to help him get it.

YouTube /riverraven

Thanks to an amazing fundraising effort, Gibson collected enough money to transport Nico to a shelter in Indiana.

Thanks to an amazing fundraising effort, Gibson collected enough money to transport Nico to a shelter in Indiana.

YouTube /riverraven

There he underwent training with his foster mom. Unfortunately, he also developed cancerous tumors, but they were able to be removed.

There he underwent training with his foster mom. Unfortunately, he also developed cancerous tumors, but they were able to be removed.

YouTube /riverraven

After everything Nico went through, he finally found a forever home with BridgetSwan and her partner, Melissa, in 2009.

After everything Nico went through, he finally found a forever home with BridgetSwan and her partner, Melissa, in 2009.

YouTube /riverraven

However, Nico’s story and struggle doesn’t end there. Learn more about how this pup got the life he always deserved below.

In January 2016, Nico passed away from cancer, having lived a life full of love and care thanks to the people who advocated for him. “Nico’s message will be continued by his family and all of the people that have followed it and continue to stand up for the animals that need their voices,” his family wrote. Rest in peace, sweet boy.

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