A woman from Beckenham is raising thousands of pounds to bring a stray dog she befriended in Bali back to the UK after the animal suffered severe injuries in an attack.
Rachel Mason, 27, formed an instant bond with Peanut, a seven-month-old Kintamani pup, and now aims to bring her to safety in the UK. The animal lover discovered Peanut during a morning walk on the beach in early April. The young dog appeared to be in poor condition, weak from hunger and thirst.
Upon returning the next day, Rachel was horrified to find Peanut severely injured, with deep wounds caused by an attack from other dogs. The frightened pup had crawled into the sea, likely trying to escape the pain and danger.
Rachel rushed Peanut to a local vet, where she was treated for 17 open wounds, mild anemia, low platelet counts, and internal bleeding. After three days of medical care, Rachel knew she had to help the dog find a safer, permanent home.
“She was in a terrible state—bleeding and badly injured,” Rachel recalled. “It felt as though she had given up and wanted the sea to take her.”
Bali, Rachel explained, is not a safe place for dogs. Many are subject to abuse, poisoning, or even sold for the dog meat trade. Local shelters, overwhelmed by the number of strays, couldn’t offer much help, leaving Rachel to take matters into her own hands.
Rachel is now working to bring Peanut to the UK, where a family friend has agreed to adopt her. However, Rachel, who splits her time between the UK and Bali, is unable to adopt the dog herself due to family allergies and her nomadic lifestyle.
In the meantime, she continues to care for Peanut, describing her as the “perfect dog.” Peanut has become a beloved companion, often riding on the front of Rachel’s scooter and accompanying her everywhere. “She’s loyal, sweet, and playful. She’s literally the cutest dog ever,” Rachel said. “It’s been amazing watching her go from a shy, wounded animal to the happy, smiling dog she is today.”
To fund Peanut’s journey back to the UK, Rachel launched a fundraising campaign with a goal of £3,000. The funds will cover the costs of transporting Peanut and securing her forever home. Any extra money will be donated to local Bali shelters.
Having raised over £2,000 so far, Rachel expressed her gratitude for the outpouring of support. “I thought I might never be able to take her home,” she said. “But waking up to see the funds growing was the best feeling in the world. It means everything to know she’ll soon be safe.”
With the deadline approaching, Rachel remains hopeful that Peanut’s story will inspire more donations, ensuring the dog’s long journey to safety and a loving home in the UK.