Man Sees Viral Video Of Dog Being Dumped — And Comes To His Rescue

A dog who was filmed being cruelly dumped on a rural roadside is now safe and in good hands with a new family - all thanks a man who stepped up to do what others would not.

The shocking incident occurred last week near the town of Itabira, Brazil. A woman riding by on her bike captured video of the dog being tossed from a truck, and the heartbreaking moment he ran to keep up as it sped away without him.

The cyclist later returned to the spot in a car in hopes of bringing him to safety, but by the time she arrived, the abandoned dog was nowhere to be seen.

Police were alerted to the crime, and the footage was posted on social media where it quickly went viral. Within days, thousands had viewed it and lamented the cruelty. But thankfully, one person acted.

After learning of the dog's situation, a man - who has chosen to remain anonymous - went to look for the animal. It took two days of searching, but, incredibly, he found the dog.

In a video and story shared with the news website DeFato Online, the formerly unwanted pup is seen happy with his new family, along with the message that he is finally safe:

"So people, this here is the dog we rescued who created so much controversy here in Itabira. Moved by the story, we decided to go after him. Now he's being taken care of at home, with food and everything he needs."

Now they're asking for help choosing a new name for him.

Sadly, not all abandoned animals are lucky enough to find someone willing to take the time to offer a helping hand. Click here to find out what to do if you run across a lost or stray dog.