A tiny dog went from healthy to ravaged in under a year because of the abusive treatment he allegedly received at the hands of his former owner, writes dogheirs

But days after being saved by Sunflower Sanctuary Animal Rescue in Tijeras, New Mexico, Buster has shown a remarkable turnaround.

Sunflower Sanctuary Animal Rescue’s founder Cynthia Dares revealed on Facebook how Buster came to her desperate for food and water. She also says his owner inflicted punishments that resulted in his eye needing to be removed. He also suffered neglect that lead to him having difficulty walking and peeing.

“Little Buster (renamed) has been thru hell in the last year,” wrote Sunflower Sanctuary Animal Rescue of the pup they took into their charge on June 24, 2021. “He came into the home of a woman in good health and a handsome little boy. He was rescued and came into our home as a kicked, abused, neglected, starved, not given water for 14 hours at a time from the moment he arrived. He only weighs 10.4 lbs, a tiny little thing. ”

They continued, “His eye will be removed after having Febreze sprayed in it because he barked. Hopefully his other eye will last a little longer. His paws were so bad he could hardly walk. The nails were growing over each other and into his skin. Under his belly the mats were soaked with his urine and he could hardly pee pee.”

Buster has had a successful eye surgery since their first post. In addition to grooming all over his body to remove the stickers, Buster has also had a successful eye surgery. In a report from KOB4 News, Dare stated that she intends to file charges of abuse against Valencia County Animal Control.

“…the worst part of all this woman was charged with similar abuse in 2008 to a puppy that she just got. He was bigger than tiny little Buster, She was slapped on the wrist even though there was video of the abuse, community service 100 hrs, probation and couldn’t own a dog while on probation and around $600 fine paid to the rescue that was taking care of him.”

Buster suffered because no lesson was learned. However, Buster is now safe and well cared for, regardless of any future criminal charges.

“A couple days of love and belly rubs and food and water and just a lot of care, he’s totally a different dog,” Dares told KOB4 News.

Dares’ sanctuary is a hospice rescue, so he will spend the rest of his days with her and her other rescue dogs. Dares explains that the animals she rescues  “stay here until they are ready for the Rainbow Bridge.”