Pup Abandoned in Central New York Park Gets Life-Saving Help

Vinny Gravano never imagined a walk in Utica’s Proctor Park would turn into such a heartbreaking rescue.

He first heard a dog crying in the woods, but thought it might be coyotes, since he’d heard them before. Still, the sound lingered in his mind all night.

He couldn’t sleep thinking about it—whether it was a coyote or not, it sounded hurt and scared. So, the next morning, he went back to be sure.

Dog Tied to a Tree

What Vinny found shocked and broke his heart. Someone had tied a dog to a tree and left it there. Without thinking, he waded through water, getting his shoes soaked, to reach it.

READ MORE: What Was Strange Light Flying Over Central New York

The poor dog was howling and whining, clearly frightened and alone. “I hate this world,” he said, watching the helpless animal.

Vinny wasn’t alone. His friend John Anthony came along to help calm the dog down, because Vinny himself was shaking with anger and didn’t want to make her more scared. “That dog might’ve bitten someone if I hadn’t been there to reassure her she was safe,” John said. “The fact that people can treat an innocent dog like that is infuriating. And yet, we call them animals?”

Get our free mobile app

The story could have ended badly if Vinny hadn’t followed his gut.

Thankfully, U.P.D. and Animal Control responded quickly to take over and make sure the dog got proper care.

Listen to Your Gut

Vinny’s quick action and John’s calm presence saved the day. "I did what any human with a heart would do," said Vinny. "I was even ontacted by someone who recognized the dog and knows the owner."

This is a reminder that sometimes, listening to that little voice telling you “something isn’t right” can make all the difference—for a dog, or anyone in need.

Watch the heartbreaking video and be advised: it's filled with language that is NSFW.