The heartbreaking story of an Ohio pup found with her muzzle duct-taped shut and her throat slashed — was actually a hoax made up by her owner in an attempt to get free veterinary care, authorities said Monday.

Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones on Friday announced that someone had discovered the dog — dubbed Dani — on the side of a road, and that she was rushed to a vet clinic.

“This is appalling, words cannot describe the disgust I’m feeling right now,” Jones said, vowing to bring the culprit to justice.

Turns out the entire story was made up.

It wasn’t a vicious animal abuser who hurt the pup — her throat was cut accidentally on a barbed wire fence, the Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

The person who reported finding her, was actually her heartless and conniving owner, who “concocted a story to get the canine help for free,” the statement said.

Dani’s snout being duct-taped was also faked as part of the con, cops said.

“The snout/mouth area that appeared to be injured was due to the owners keeping the canine muzzled for several hours a day due to it chewing up items in their residence and being aggressive towards their other canine,” the statement said.

The owner lives in Warren County, so any charges against them would have to be filed there, Jones said, adding he will “make a joint effort to work with the adjacent jurisdiction to ensure this case is dealt with appropriately.”

The Sheriff’s Office didn’t return a call from The Post.

The community that had come together to try and find the culprit blasted the lying owners on the Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.

“Unbelievable and disgusting,” one person wrote.

Another added: “The owner who lied should be facing charges point blank.”