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 had been cruelly bound with electrical tape, leaving her struggling to breathe and weak from the pain she 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, claiming 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, and authorities acted quickly. 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 necessary to deter future 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 tape. Walking was difficult, and her recovery would take months of careful treatment and rehabilitation.
By June, after months of dedicated care, Justice was ready to begin a new chapter. She was adopted by a loving family who provided 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 created plush toy replicas of her, complete with a white scar on the muzzle to symbolize her past suffering. Sold for $30 each, the toys 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 both the cruelty animals can face and their remarkable resilience. From the brink of death to a life filled with love, her transformation inspires hope and action.
Let her journey motivate us all to stand against animal cruelty and support organizations that work tirelessly to save lives—so every animal has a chance at a safe, loving future.