This Dog Was So Starved He Couldn’t Walk—But He Still Tried to Escape
In a story both heartbreaking and infuriating, a starving dog named Apollo managed to escape a life of severe neglect—only to collapse in a ditch and die days later. The young dog had fought with everything he had for a second chance. But his owner’s cruelty had already taken too much.
Now, the public is demanding justice.
Apollo was discovered lying near the side of the road in Clermont County, Ohio, barely clinging to life. He was so emaciated he could no longer walk. According to rescuers, Apollo had been tied up and left outside for an unknown period of time—starved and abandoned. In a final act of survival, he broke free from his leash and tried to run. But his body, ravaged by starvation, gave out just yards away from the life he deserved.
A Glimmer of Hope—and a Tragic Goodbye
A caring passerby spotted Apollo and called for help. That call led to Ashley Barber, a veterinary technician and seasoned foster parent, who rushed to take Apollo in. She immediately provided round-the-clock care, holding out hope for his recovery.
“It’s not uncommon for me to see sad things,” Barber told FOX19 NOW. “You kind of become numb because it almost becomes normal. But this was different. I have personally never seen an animal in this state.”
Apollo was too far gone. Despite every effort, he passed away less than a week later. He had finally found safety and kindness—but only at the very end.
📢 Sign the petition to demand justice for Apollo and protect other animals from enduring the same fate.
Barber now keeps Apollo’s ashes in a small box and has made him a solemn promise: “I kept telling him, ‘I will make sure you get justice.’ Whether I have to walk into that courtroom with your ashes in my hand, that’s what I’m going to do.”
A Pattern of Neglect and a Call for Accountability
Authorities later arrested 61-year-old Victoria Shoopman and charged her with misdemeanor animal cruelty and failure to register a companion animal. But advocates and rescuers say that’s not nearly enough. Shoopman’s actions led to needless suffering and death, and many are calling for stronger consequences—including a lifetime ban on animal ownership.
Kim Bush, founder of Rescue Me Animal Advocacy, helped get Apollo to an emergency vet the night he was found. She’s heartbroken by his suffering and frustrated by how preventable it was. “He finally got free and got as far as the ditch,” she explained. “But he wasn’t strong enough to get any further.”
Bush and other advocates are calling for courts to treat these cases with the seriousness they deserve—not as minor infractions, but as dangerous and deliberate acts of cruelty.
🚨 Sign the petition to demand a lifetime ban on animal ownership and mandatory psychological evaluation for Apollo’s abuser.
Resources Exist—But So Does Willful Neglect
Bush says that cases like Apollo’s are particularly painful because resources do exist for pet owners in crisis. Organizations such as Piper’s Pantry, Smith’s Pit Stop, UCAN, and the League for Animal Welfare offer food, low-cost veterinary care, and support for those who can’t afford to care for their animals.
“But some people choose not to ask for help,” she says. “And animals like Apollo pay the price.”
Barber agrees. “This should never have happened. There are always options. But Apollo was treated like trash. He was discarded and left to die.”
Speak Up Before It’s Too Late
Both Barber and Bush want Apollo’s story to be a wake-up call. They’re urging people to report suspected neglect or abuse, even if they’re unsure. “It’s better to be wrong than to let another animal suffer in silence,” Bush says.
They also emphasize that cruelty to animals can be a sign of deeper, more dangerous behavior. That’s why mental health intervention is crucial in these cases. People who abuse animals should not be given second chances without accountability—and treatment.
⚖️ Sign the petition to ensure Apollo’s death wasn’t in vain. Help us demand stronger animal protection laws and real consequences for abusers.
Apollo Deserved So Much More
Apollo was more than a victim. He was a fighter. He wanted to live, and he did everything he could to survive. His suffering should never have happened—and it must never be repeated.
He deserved a warm home, full bowls, soft beds, and someone to love him back. He deserved to be a family member, not a forgotten burden.
We couldn’t save Apollo. But we can fight for him—and for every animal still out there, silently suffering.
✊ Sign the petition to honor Apollo’s memory and make sure no other dog dies the way he did.
To continue speaking up, sign these other petitions as well:
- Man Tried to Drown His Dog in Miami Beach Ocean as Horrified Crowd Watched. Now the Public Wants Justice.
- Ten Dogs Lost Forever in Trainer’s Care. Families Deserve Justice.
- Thirteen Puppies Left to Suffer in 104-Degree Garage While Owner Walked Free
- Seven Dogs Endured 8 Inches of Waste in Camper—Now the Public Wants Justice
- Georgia the K-9 Died in a Sweltering Patrol Car. Now the Public Wants Justice.
