Tough guy Dave Bautista has a soft spot for dogs and has adopted a puppy that survived horrific abuse.
The Guardians of the Galaxy star also has a serious message for the three-month-old pup’s abuser: He will find you.
“I will personally hand $5,000 cash to the person who gives information leading to the arrest and conviction of the sick piece of s*** responsible for this,” he wrote on Instagram.
The dog, known as Sage, was abandoned and left for dead before she was found and taken to an animal shelter. A chain around her neck was so tight, surgery was needed to treat the wounds around her neck.
The dog’s story tugged at Bautista’s heartstrings. The former professional wrestler adopted her and renamed her Penny.
She’s on the mend.
“She is now a Bautista and she will never be abused again a day in her life, not a second in her life. She’s about to live her best puppy life ever,” he said in an Instagram video Sept. 23. “Sage is now Penny Bautista and she has her forever home.”
What happened to Penny is shocking. And so are the images Bautista posted on social media.
As a result of Bautista’s plea, others have stepped up to help.
The Humane Society of Tampa Bay has kicked in another $1,500 and Florida law firm Alvarez Injury Law has offered another $5,000.
Bautista said there are no solid leads yet, but he isn’t giving up.
He says he’s grateful from the bottom of his heart and is determined to find “the horrible human being responsible for this.”
“She survived a nightmare,” he wrote about Penny. “Now she’s living the puppy dream. Please don’t make her story an exception.”
He also thanked everyone “who took care of this amazing little unbreakable soul.”
A few days ago, he shared a moving homecoming video to his 3.6 million followers.
Bautista has another message for prospective pet owners: “Adopt don’t shop.”