A Florida animal shelter said the now-viral dog without a nose actually lost it in a fight.
When the dog Sniffles went viral across social media looking for a new home, workers at the shelter thought he was born with a deformity causing him to have crooked teeth and no nose.
Poodle and Pooch Rescue in Seminole County, Florida said after looking into the 12-year-old dog's history, they learned Sniffles was once a stray in Puerto Rico and rescued by a group known as Rabito Konento or "Happy Tails" in English.
Sniffles was attacked by other stray dogs that were much larger than him and needed extensive treatment. He had multiple injuries and bite wounds, causing him to lose his nose.
After three surgeries, Sniffles was adopted to a home in Florida.
The shelter said Sniffles escaped from his new home several times, making it an unsafe situation for him.
"We've determined that while his adoptive family loves him, it just isn't the best home for this special needs little guy," the shelter said on its website.
The shelter said it is now working with Rabito Kontento to obtain Sniffles' medical history.
Since the dog went viral, the shelter has received hundreds of emails, voice messages and social media inquiries for the dog.
Copyright 2018 KXXV. All rights reserved.
