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A maintenance worker fixing a burst pipe in an apartment complex made a horrific discovery when he found two puppies huddled “ankle deep feces and urine with their mouths wrapped shut with rubber bands”.

The man entered the apartment in Wichita, Kansas after a pipe above it burst and was flooding the apartment. He was immediately struck by the smell. He saw a small crate in the room, but the dogs were not making any sound.

Fortunately, the maintenance worker has a friend who fosters dogs for the Wichita Animal Action League (WAAL), who he immediately called for help.

She in turn called Sarah Coffman, executive director of WAAL, who immediately raced over with animal control officers to save the puppies.

The puppies were rushed to the vet, where the bands were carefully removed.

The 7-month-old puppies screamed in pain as the rubber bands were removed and blood returned to their muzzles.