For weeks, neighbors heard strange noises coming from Viktor’s apartment — growling, screeching, desperate barking. The elderly man kept to himself, barely spoke, and ignored knocks and notes asking him to quiet the noise.

Then he vanished.

No one had seen him for days, but the sounds only got worse — scratching, howling, like something was trapped inside. On the seventh day, unable to take it anymore, neighbors called the police.

When officers broke down the door, what they found left everyone frozen.

Viktor was dead, lying peacefully in bed. But the real shock was what surrounded him: nearly 20 starving, emaciated dogs, pacing the apartment or curled up beside him, refusing to leave his side.

The apartment was a mess — claw marks on the floor, torn furniture, filth everywhere. Viktor had secretly rescued strays, cared for them, and never told a soul, afraid they’d be taken away.

For seven days after his death, the dogs remained — trapped, hungry, loyal.

The building hasn’t felt the same since. Empty, quiet… but haunted by the memory of one man’s hidden love and the heartbreaking loyalty of his dogs.