A two-year-old neglected child was saved after a pregnant canine began breastfeeding him. Dirty and naked, the undernourished boy was found in a mechanic's workshop in Chile. His drunken mom left him there without water or food.
According to reports, the toddler was seen drinking milk from the dog named Reina. The boy, who police say looked poorly neglected, was spotted by the neighbor. The neighbor said that they have their dog who is there and she is pregnant. She further said that the hungry child suckled on the teats of the dog for milk.
The toddler was taken to the medical facility where he was treated for head lice, skin infections and malnutrition. At present, he is under the care of welfare authorities. According to Police, the boy's mom attended the hospital but was dead drunk. However, she has not been taken into custody as there was no physical harm to the boy, according to Evening Standard.
The child's dad later showed up at the medical facility; however, his role in the boy's plight is not clear. Also, it is not clear where the child's parents were when he was spotted in the workshop. A court hearing on September 22 will decide who will care for the youngster, according to Sky News.
Marcela Labraña, director of the Chile's National Service For Minors, said that he was very embarrassed about the neglect of child in Arica, where hundreds of individuals live in poverty in slums packed with people.
Human-animal breastfeeding is practised in several cultures over the decades. Donkeys and goats were used to breastfeed neglected toddlers in foundling hospitals during the 19th and 18th centuries.