While delivering straw to cold “backyard dogs,” PETA fieldworkers came across this shed and discovered something strange:
The doors were padlocked, the shed floor was covered with feces and urine, and two dogs were trapped inside: Storm and Smoke.
The owners had built a watering system and chutes for kibble, so no one ever had to enter the shed. One of the owners said she wouldn’t even go near the shed because of the stench. This was Storm and Smoke’s home for more than six months.
The fieldworkers spent several hours at the property, cleaning out mounds of moldy feces, laying down fresh straw over the rotting floorboards, and petting the dogs and giving them a chance to breathe fresh air.
It was probably the first time in months that Storm and Smoke had received any affection at all.
After cleaning out the shed, the fieldworkers began keeping a close eye on the property and developed a relationship with the owner. And last weekend, they returned with a life-changing surprise for the dogs:
They are now free of the shed and living in the fresh air, with PETA-built doghouses for protection from the elements!
With their new houses and 20-foot tie-outs, Storm and Smoke can now feel the sun on their backs and the grass beneath their feet, and they get to sleep somewhere soft and cozy—not amid their own waste.
PETA will continue to visit the dogs and attempt to educate their owners.
And we’ll ensure that Storm and Smoke are NEVER locked inside the shed again.
If you see something, say something!
If you ever come across an animal who is sick, injured, or in poor physical condition or who doesn’t have adequate shelter, call your local animal-control agency or the police. If neither responds quickly, call PETA—anytime, day or night—at 757-622-7382, option 2.
If you see a chained dog, your best bet for improving the situation is to befriend the owners and try to help in any number of ways, which could include putting up fencing, walking the dog yourself, persuading the owners to let the dog be indoors at least some of the time, and setting up play dates with other dogs in secure yards. Some jurisdictions even have chaining restrictions or bans, so be sure to research your local laws and notify the police if you see possible violations.
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