WOW. Such a sad story.
I am so glad that Major is okay and that you were able to save him, just imagine what could have happend if you didnt hear him yelp.
I hope the boy is now in the care of responsible adults who can help him, because his own parents were doing nothing to care for him by the sounds of it. It could have been a lot worse. If he thinks its okay to beat animals then what about young children? thinking of what COULD have happend is scary.