Tied to a tree, a St Bernard had been abandoned all alone, with no way to escape.
The poor dog had no food or water and was in a state of severe distress.
Severe dehydration
The hikers quickly contacted the police to report what they had found. Officers soon arrived at the scene, accompanied by an animal welfare unit to rescue the dog.
When they arrived, the rescuers found the poor dog was severely dehydrated. They believed he had been abandoned in the woods for some time. Thanks to the quick thinking of the hikers and the rescue team, the dog was saved just in time.
An investigation is launched
The poor dog's story was shared on social media and touched the hearts of thousands of animal lovers. Thanks to the investigation, the police were able to identify the dog's owner. He was arrested the very next day.
An animal welfare group also filed a formal complaint on behalf of animal protection charities. In France, such acts of neglect are severely punished by law, carrying a penalty of up to five years in prison and a €75,000 (around £64,000) fine.