Moment Abandoned Dog Who Had 'Terrible Nightmares' Sleeps Soundly at Last

Knowing the levels some dog owners go to just to make their pets happy, it is unthinkable that many canines still experience abuse and cruelty at the hands of their owners.

Ellery, an 18-month-old pit bull mix, was found by her rescuers with her mouth tied shut after suffering physical and mental abuse. In a TikTok video posted by @happyholly1235 a day ago, Ellery can be seen in a deep sleep on the couch, shortly after she was rescued.

"She slept so much," reads the caption. "At first she had terrible nightmares and would howl the most haunting howl it would make us cry, she would then leap into your arms. Her short little life had been nothing but physical abuse and neglect. She has obviously never had a decent sleep in her life, so she just slept and slept. What a wonderful beautiful dog we love her so much."

In another video, the caption reads: "Only 4 months ago she was found emaciated with her mouth tied shut. She has suffered physical and mental abuse, she will never suffer again."

Forty-nine states in the U.S. have laws that provide felony penalties for animal torture on the first offense, according to The Humane Society of the United States; only Iowa doesn't have such a law. However, most incidences go unreported.

On January 1, 2016, the Federal Bureau of Investigation added cruelty to animals as a category in the Uniform Crime Report, a nationwide crime document used in homicide investigations.

"While only about a third of U.S. communities currently participate in the system, the data generated will help create a clearer picture of animal abuse and guide strategies for intervention and enforcement," says The Humane Society.

"Data collection covers four categories: simple/gross neglect, intentional abuse and torture, organized abuse (such as dogfighting and cockfighting) and animal sexual abuse," adds the society.

Cruelty and neglect to animals cross all social and economic boundaries, with animal abuse is common in both rural and urban areas. The Humane Society says that cruelty to animals is "strongly correlated with other crimes, including violence against people.

"Surveys suggest that those who intentionally abuse animals are predominantly men under 30, while those involved in animal hoarding are more likely to be women over 60," the society adds.

Users on TikTok were full of sympathy for the rescue dog. "If that sleeping position is not a sign of being content safe and comfortable I don't know what is she's beautiful," wrote one user.

"We got a little frenchie who was 2 & used for breeding, never knew love or how to play, now she's loving life with a male we rescued too," shared another.

Newsweek has reached out to @happyholly1235 via TikTok for comment.

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