Last month Lomita resident Elizabeth Vivlamore heard a puppy crying in the back alley outside a doughnut shop. When no claimed the puppy after a few hours, she called police and animal control—to no avail.

So Vivlamore took in the dog herself and gave it food and water. She took him to the vet and discovered he had fleas, worms, an ear infection and his tail had been broken in several places, according to The Daily Breeze. She couldn't keep the dog, but the Van Nuys-based ROMP Rescue took the pit bull pup in and named him Petey—because of his resemblance to the pit bull in "Our Gang."

Randy, a rescuer affiliated with ROMP, shaved off some of Petey's fur when he noticed something strange on his belly: it turned out to be a tattoo associated with a gang just northeast of Dodger Stadium.

That means not only had Petey been dumped far from home, but he'd undergone a painful experience—likely without sedation.

Randy, who feared giving his last name because of the dog's gang association, told The Daily Breeze, "I'm speechless. I can't understand why they would do that. The pain involved is obviously more than any puppy should have to endure."

Petey has a long road ahead, and he needs serious rehabilitation. He seems to get along with humans just fine, but he's absolutely terrified of other animals, according to CBS Los Angeles. His legs start to shake. His rescuers suspect that he might have been trained to be a part of a dog-fighting ring.

If you're interested in chipping in for his rehab, you can visit Petey's page here.