I need to get a bumper sticker that says "Who Saved Who?" When I lost my beloved kitty Kefira back in March, I cried every single day for a month. Then I found Zizu online, drove 3 hours to go get her from a rescue, and no more tears. Zizu is the dearest, most affectionate, smartest little baby girl you could imagine. It was eerie how she instantly took to me. I'm actually thinking she might be a reincarnation of her predecessor Jester, who she resembles amazingly. Hurray for rescue pets!
If I ever encountered some fool doing cruel things to a pet, like the loser who inflicted such horrific injuries on this poor dog, I would advocate for the pet--in kind. Would have no problem at all "educating" them as to the error of their ways.