Hope, Sampson, Elsie and Peanut's Story

Early in January, we received a call from a concerned individual about three dogs tied with nothing but a heavy chain around their necks and another dog that had been locked in a building. When we arrived, it was nothing less then horrifying. There were three dogs chained with no food, no water and no shelter from the blustery –35°C weather. Melted ice patches where indications of where they had been sleeping.

Elsie, a small, cold, frightened little girl was the first to be rescued. Elsie was chained to a tire in the middle of nowhere without even the shelter of trees or buildings. Despite being very scared, she was very cooperative of our efforts to help her. When we brought Elsie into the warm vehicle, she curled up into a ball during the entire drive to her foster home.

Hope was next, an older looking Collie. She has a very haggard appearance. Her coat was dull, matted and tangled. She also appeared to be blind as her eye was very swollen and sore. It was evident that Hope had spent a very long period of time locked in one of the buildings with no heat or water. We based this assumption on the amount of feces that covered the floor and the number of scratch marks on the door.

Sampson, a beautiful large white Shepherd cross was next. Sampson was chained, same as the others, without even a cardboard box for shelter. His chain was very tangled and heavy, making it difficult for him to maneuver. He was extremely thin, but loving and very appreciative of our help. Sampson was eager to put his days of starvation and cold behind him.

Peanut, the smallest of the four, was terrified of us and had to be muzzled to contain her. She had been tied to a tree, just out of reach of a deck that could have sheltered her from the extreme cold.

Because of the obvious neglect and the lack of evidence that anyone had been caring for these dogs, we suspected and later confirmed that the owners had moved and left the dogs behind.

Today…

Hope recently had surgery to remove her left eye. She has Glaucoma and the swelling and pain was unbearable. Since the surgery, she no longer pees her bed but she is still terrified of being indoors. Her fear is most likely the result of being locked in a building for a long period of time. Hope loves going for car rides and loves being with people. She is also a little hard of hearing. It is wonderful that she can now run and play and is no longer depressed and in constant pain. Sadly, Hope has to be on medication for the rest of her life to protect the health of her remaining eye. Elsie is thriving. Once she was given the opportunity to open up, she has become a wonderful little dog. She is very friendly and playful.

Peanut has made a complete turn around. During the first two weeks she was here, Peanut had absolutely no trust. Today she goes for long walks with her foster mom and other dogs. She is extremely loyal and lovable, listens very well, and gets along with other dogs. Peanut is still very scared of strangers, but has proved she can learn to trust again.

Sadly, the young beautiful Sampson died six days after he was rescued. Despite our best efforts, there was nothing that we could do for him. Sampson had an amazing spirit and will never be forgotten.

A final thought…

Currently there are no effective ways of preventing this situation from happening again and again. In most counties and municipalities, there are no municipal by-laws that address animal cruelty and the Cruelty to Animals Section of the Criminal Code is outdated and ineffective (incepted in 1892). Please take the time to express your concern to your local municipal representative and take a moment to visit the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies website at http://www.cfhs.ca/ to read about the proposed changes to legislation. The only way that things will change is if people take the time to speak out and find a solution.

Hope, Elsie and Peanut have been adopted.

Samson is gone, but not forgotten.