Exactly one year ago in Ontario, Canada, a heartbreaking discovery shook the community. A dog, later named Justice, was found abandoned in a vacant lot near a tire store.
Her paws and muzzle were cruelly bound with electrical tape, leaving her struggling to breathe and weak from the pain she had endured.
With her mouth swollen and her body fragile, it was clear she had only hours to live—until rescuers arrived just in time.
The Windsor/Essex County Humane Society acted swiftly, rushing Justice to safety and providing the urgent medical care she needed to survive. While her physical condition was dire, the story behind her abandonment revealed even more disturbing details.
Justice’s owner, who claimed his granddaughter was allergic to pets, had decided to get rid of the 7-year-old dog. Rather than finding her a new home, he gave her to a friend, Michael Hill, along with $60 to have her euthanized.
But instead of taking Justice to a shelter or veterinarian, Hill wrapped her muzzle and paws in electrical tape and left her to die in a vacant lot.
The community was outraged by the cruelty of this act, and authorities wasted no time pursuing justice for the abused dog. In February, Michael Hill was sentenced to two years in prison, followed by three years of probation.
He was also banned from owning or being near animals for 25 years—a sentence widely seen as a necessary step to deter future acts of cruelty.
When Justice first arrived at the veterinarian, her condition was heartbreaking. She could barely breathe, and her muzzle bore a deep scar from the electrical tape that had been wrapped around it. Walking was a struggle, and her recovery would take months of treatment and rehabilitation.
By June 2016, after months of care, Justice was ready to begin a new chapter in her life. She was adopted by a loving family who offered her the warmth, kindness, and security she had long been denied. In her new home, Justice found peace and happiness, leaving behind the horrors of her past.
To honor Justice’s journey and raise awareness about animal cruelty, the Windsor/Essex County Humane Society launched a heartfelt initiative.
They created plush toy replicas of Justice, complete with a white scar on the muzzle to symbolize her past suffering. These toys, sold for $30 each, help fund the rescue and rehabilitation of abused animals, ensuring that other pets like Justice can find the care they deserve.
Justice’s story is a powerful reminder of the cruelty that animals can face, but it also highlights their remarkable resilience and capacity for healing. From the brink of death to a life filled with love, Justice’s transformation inspires hope and action.
Let her story motivate us all to stand against animal cruelty and support the efforts of organizations that work tirelessly to save lives. Together, we can create a world where every animal has a chance at a safe and loving future.
