Police officer spots men with a dog in the woods, then realizes what they are about to do

It was a matter of timing, of being in the right place at the right time. Chris Lynch, a conservation officer with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, was patrolling a rural area on the state's northern peninsula. Suddenly, he saw some strange activity that set off his internal alarm.

On an off-road, private trail sat a parked truck, and nearby was a man with a small dog running at his side. For some reason, the scene struck Lynch as odd and out of place, so he stopped to investigate. In doing so, Lynch saved this little dog's life.

As Lynch approached the man standing near the truck, he saw the man try to hide a shotgun by slipping it back into its case. Lynch noticed a second man as well, standing a bit farther off and digging a hole in the ground.

Lynch asked the first man what his purpose was for being on private property. The man said he was burying his dog, but Lynch noted that the box in the truck was empty. The man intended to kill the dog at his feet and bury her in the ground.

The pooch appeared healthy and active, so Lynch asked why the men wanted to shoot it. Their answer? Because the dog was old! Appalled, Lynch informed them that they were on private property and that the owner wouldn't sanction such an action. He then charged the men with carrying a loaded rifle in their vehicle.

More importantly, he confiscated the dog and brought her straight to the Delta Animal Shelter. The staff at this no-kill shelter were stunned when they heard the dog's story, especially since they accept animal surrenders into the shelter without charge.

The dog's name was Toosie, but the staff renamed her Tunzy. She checked out just fine after her medical examination. A shelter spokesman described Tunzy as "an 11-year-old healthy female shih tzu. She is very lucky to have been found before being shot. We are thankful the DNR brought her to the safety of the Delta Animal Shelter. There is no justifiable reason to end her life."

The spokesman went on to explain, "She probably has a good five years of life left and her health is fine. This community does not accept what was going to happen, nor any other forms of abuse of an animal."

Because of Lynch's actions, Tunzy was recently adopted by a loving family and is spending her days in her new home being spoiled and loved, as she should! Please share Tunzy's close call and amazing story with your friends and family on Facebook.