You can tell a lot about a person by how they treat animals—and this Redditor’s boyfriend failed the test in the worst way.

While away on a short trip, the woman left her beloved dog in her boyfriend’s care, trusting him to look after her. But during her absence, she discovered he had left her dog outside for hours, ultimately leading to her pet going missing. Rushing home in a panic, she soon realized the situation was even more heartbreaking than she had feared.

Read the full story below—be warned, it includes mentions of animal cruelty, but thankfully, there’s a happy ending.

The woman left for a short trip, trusting her boyfriend to care for her beloved dog

Image credits: anamariiia5

But while she was gone, she learned he had failed her in the worst way

Image credits: Yaroslav Shuraev / Pexels (not the actual photo)

Image credits: Blake Cheek / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

Image credits: anamariiia5

Image credits: Dina Nasyrova / Pexels (not the actual photo)

People who hurt animals often hurt others too

When you hear about someone mistreating an animal, it’s hard not to ask the same questions: Why? How? What kind of person would want to harm a defenseless creature?

Sadly, animal cruelty happens more often than we’d like, and the reasons behind it can be disturbing. Researchers Kellert and Felthous found that some people use harsh punishment to control animals or retaliate against them. Others harm animals to assert dominance or train them to be aggressive. In the worst cases, cruelty is purely for pleasure or a way to take out personal frustrations—something often seen in abused children.

But the harm often doesn’t stop there. Studies have repeatedly shown that people who abuse animals are more likely to be violent towards other humans too. That’s why these cases should never be ignored or brushed aside—they signal a much bigger issue.

For example:

• A 1997 study by the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Northeastern University found that animal abusers are five times more likely to harm people
• In a study of school massacres, 43% of perpetrators had a history of cruelty to animals
• In homes where child abuse was reported, 88% also had cases of animal abuse
• Another study revealed that up to 89% of women in abusive relationships said their pets were also threatened, harmed, or even got their lives taken by their partner

Given all this, it’s a relief that things turned out well for the woman in this story. Despite Milo’s injuries, she’s now in safe hands, and the woman is taking legal action to ensure her ex faces the consequences of his actions.

If you ever witness animal abuse, don’t ignore it. Report it to the authorities, support local shelters, and help protect animals from those who mean them harm. Every voice matters.

Some useful contacts:

United States: Call your local animal welfare organization or 911 if you’re unsure who to contact. If your area lacks the proper animal welfare agency and local authorities are not equipped to handle the case, reach out to Humane World for Animals for guidance.

United Kingdom: Call 999 in emergencies or report concerns to the RSPCA. Visit their website to educate yourself about animal welfare laws and how to take action against cruelty.

Readers agreed the woman was right to break up with her boyfriend and offered tips to help her find her dog

The woman found her dog and, following readers’ advice, made the decision to press charges

Image credits: Blakeheek / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

Image credits: anamariiia5

She later shared that her dog was on the road to recovery, while her ex-boyfriend was busy incriminating himself

Image credits: anamariiia5

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