I happened upon this situation Friday, November 13, quite by accident. Even though it is across the street from one of our elementary schools & neighbors on three sides of the house, no one seemed to be concerned about the plight of this dog. I had never seen any thing like this before. I had seen pictures of chains this big but never in person. The sheer weight of it out weighed the dog by 20-25 pounds. To get to the body condition that she is in would take weeks of no food. Can you imagine how this would feel to be rendered completely helpless by this chain and then not fed or watered day after day! Even though she is patiently waiting for her people to come, they never do. She makes her bed on a piece of cardboard, curling up on it, trying to ward off the 40 degree nights, she has no shelter. I could see her ears quivering, her body trembling trying to generate some heat from a body that had no means to do so. My heart hurts for her.

I went and got food & water for her that day. She was so excited, barking, hoping that what she smelled was going to be for her! Even though I know she had had no food in who knows how long, she didn’t try to grab the bag from me. I put it down so she would know there was food for her and she began to eat ravenously. I poured water in an old container that I found in the yard and told her good night.

I have been going by every day since, feeding her, giving her water and telling her it won’t be long, maybe she can come home with me. She licks my hand and wags her tail. Even though every bone in her body is visible, it’s difficult to hold her head upright due to the weight of the chain and I know she will be cold again tonight, she looks at me as if to say, "I’m ready when you are."

I’m not sure how this will play out. Our laws are so ambiguous and the lack of concern for an animal in this situation is heart-breaking. I know we need to go through proper channels and protocol but while we do, she is waiting, patiently, cold, hungry, thirsty and alone with only a piece of cardboard for comfort.

As of Monday, November 23, the sweet, starving dog is gone along with the chain and padlock she was forced to carry. She has been taken somewhere new to live this life of neglect and cruelty. Again, my heart is sick, now not knowing where she is and unable to help her. Too much time had gone by. It is so important to be able to act quickly and decisively in a situation like this.

If you find this situation unacceptable, please let your local politicians for your area know that you do not want this to be a part of your community. If we choose not to do something to change this kind of treatment of a helpless animal, then what does it truly say about us?

Respectfully, Denise Holcomb