It’s absolutely astonishing how heartless some individuals can be towards dogs. One such heartwrenching case involved a sweet pup named Riona, who endured unimaginable suffering when her owner brutally set her on fire last year.
However, almost exactly a year after that horrific incident, Riona is embarking on a new chapter in her life, as she prepares to go to her forever home.
In June of last year, the residents of Nutbush, Tennessee, were horrified as they witnessed a pit bull mix named Riona, engulfed in flames, frantically running down the street. The acrid smell of gasoline left no doubt that she had been intentionally and cruelly set on fire.
«The scent of gas hung heavy in the air,» recalled Mallory Mclemore of Bluff City Veterinary Specialists in an interview with the Memphis Commercial Appeal.
Ginger Natoli, the founder of Tails of Hope Dog Rescue, explained, «She was burnt and covered in diesel fuel… It was evident she had been deliberately set on fire based on witness accounts. We’ve also obtained security camera footage from a neighbor, which shows her running as a blazing fireball.»
Riona’s ear had been charred, but her left eye was saved thanks to an immediate medical response. Tails of Hope Dog Rescue took her in, and she received essential medical care at Bluff City Veterinary Specialists, including twice-daily full-body wraps to protect her fragile skin.
A TikTok video sharing Riona’s harrowing journey went viral, amassing millions of views and generating a surge of empathy and support for Riona from across the globe.
Riona embarked on a long and arduous path to recovery, undergoing a series of skin grafts to address the severe fourth-degree burns that covered her body. Despite the trauma she endured, Riona maintained a positive spirit throughout her recovery.
«She’s always wagging her tail,» Mclemore noted. «What’s especially heartbreaking, I guess, is that she’s so sweet. For someone to commit such a heinous act against her is unfathomable. She adores everyone.»
«Even with just one ear, she’s kind of cute,» Natoli shared with the Commercial Appeal. «It adds to her unique personality and charm.»
