A dog called Ping Pong who has just three working legs is being hailed as a hero in Thailand for rescuing a newborn baby that was buried alive by its teenage mother. The mother, reported to be no more than 15 years old herself, is said to have been hiding her pregnancy from her parents.

The dog was barking and scratching the ground of a field and alerted his owner, who then found an infant’s leg sticking up. Locals rushed the 2.3 kg baby to the hospital, where doctors cleaned the baby and he was declared healthy.

Ping Pong - Khaosod

The police reportedly said that they had arrested the mother and charged her with child abandonment and attempted murder. The parents of the teenage mother have offered to raise the baby.

Lt Col Panuwat Puttakam told the Bangkok Post that although the girl was underage, the police will charge her and she would be interrogated in the presence of child service workers.

“The girl is now in the care of a psychologist and her parents because she is in great fear. She regrets what she did and said she acted on impulse without thinking it through. She feared her parents would find out she had been pregnant,” the officer said.

Ping Pong & His Owner- Khaosod

“Police officers are preparing to prosecute the mother but she is also a child and we must consider her mind and be professional. It is important that she is nurtured and treated fairly,” said Wichian Chantharanothai, governor of Nakhon Ratchasima area.

He also informed that the baby survived because he was buried shallowly.

Ping Pong - Viral Press

Usa Nisaikha, Ping Pong’s owner said that the dog lost his leg when it was hit by the car. “I kept him because he’s so loyal and obedient, and always helps me out when I go to the fields to tend to my cattle. He’s loved by the entire village. It’s amazing,” he said.

Good job, Ping Pong!