A PETA Community Animal Project (CAP) fieldworker spotted a lone pit bull sitting in a trash-strewn patch of dirt behind what appeared to be an abandoned house. A heavy chain was wrapped around his neck, he had no food or water, and his dilapidated doghouse had no floor. When the fieldworker offered him a big bowl of water, the dog lapped it up as if it were the first drink he’d had in a very long time.

Knowing she couldn’t legally take the dog, whom she was calling “Dusty” because of his filthy surroundings, the fieldworker forced herself to leave—but not before she left plenty of dog food with the neighbor and begged him to continue to feed Dusty and give him water.

When the fieldworker found the homeowner’s name through a public-records property search and called him, he said that he was having work done on the house and would be moving back in soon. He refused to part with Dusty but let PETA replace the heavy metal chain with a lightweight tie-out, give Dusty a new doghouse, and move him to a grassy area.

While he still isn’t living indoors with his family, Dusty is at least more comfortable. When fieldworkers check on him, he has food and water, and his owner has agreed to have him neutered in PETA’s SNIP (Spay and Neuter Immediately, Please!) clinic.

Their stories rarely make headlines, and in fact, most people aren’t even aware of how much suffering PETA fieldworkers spare animals like Dusty every day. But PETA can’t do it alone. If there is a Dusty in your neighborhood, please alert animal control! If officials are unresponsive, please contact PETA at 757-622-7382 or [email protected] for help.

We will never turn our back on an animal in need!