Strange growling sound in empty shopping mall leads to jaw-dropping discovery

A team of urban explorers stumbled upon an incredible find whilst investigating a derelict shopping centre. The crew were wandering through the deserted Metrocenter mall in Jackson, Mississippi, which shut its doors in 2022, when they made an unexpected discovery.

In footage shared on YouTube, the team, known as LordExplores, can be seen venturing through sections of the shopping centre, spotting remnants of shops including Foot Locker and Waldenbooks, alongside the security office and food court. As they prepared to depart, one member mentioned hearing an unusual sound coming from one of the escalators.

Upon investigation, they were stunned to discover a dog seemingly trapped within machinery at the top of one of the escalators. After offering it some peanuts and water, they managed to carefully lift the female dog free.

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The terrier-type dog appeared extremely thin and evidently famished and parched, yet remained remarkably calm, willingly following the team out of the mall and into their vehicle, reports the Daily Star.

A caption at the video's conclusion states: "After all was said and done, she was brought to an animal rescue where she was checked and had no microchip."

Continuing the account on Reddit, the team wrote: "We decided to go explore the Metrocenter mall in Jackson Mississippi, not expecting it would change the entire trip back up to Chicago. We were a week into an exploring road trip when we found this dog trapped inside an escalator.

"We couldn't leave her, and I went to the store to get her food and water. She stayed with us for another week as we drove back up to Illinois, and she was welcomed to her forever home at my girlfriend @obsoletevoids!"

They explained the dog, whom they'd temporarily named Metro, wasn't microchipped so her original owner couldn't be traced. They added: "She's the sweetest girl, and has fattened up!".

Reddit users praised the post with applause, with one commenting: "Thank you for saving her she looks so happy now. You saved her life!!"

Another wrote: "I'm crying. Thankful for you guys. Poor pup, how long could she have been stuck in there scared and waiting and never knowing while her body is wasting away. I am so grateful she was found and saved by you all. Poor thing. Thank goodness for good people."

However, another commenter issued a cautionary note about handling abandoned animals. They said: "Future reference; if you find a starving animal DO NOT let them go ham at food like in the pictures. You're very very lucky the dog didn't die from refeeding syndrome. Very small amounts of food, preferably after a vet has a look but never large meals right away."

In response, another replied: "Yes! Many wonderful, big-hearted people have made this totally understandable mistake because it feels like the right thing to do. Prolonged starvation has profound effects on metabolism and the digestive system and the body has re-learn how to eat.

"It feels wrong to withhold food from an animal that was starved but it can literally save their life to go slow. It's the same with all mammals as far as I know because I've been involved with refeeding cats, dogs, pigs, horses, sheep, goats, etc. So glad this dog is doing well and you guys are angels for saving her!"