Harley was found abandoned in Steenberg. A chain that encircled his neck was deeply embedded in his skin and had caused a septic and stinking wound. A wound that indicated the life that he had led thus far, a life of neglect, loneliness, frustration and suffering – a life #chainedtopain.
We don’t know how he came to be walking the streets, perhaps the need for food and a fresh drink of water was his motivation or perhaps he had finally been unchained and dumped by a heartless owner who couldn’t be bothered to tend to his wounds. And this, in spite of Harley’s best efforts to be a loyal and protective friend to his family – he did the best he could and likely still wagged his tail at them whenever he saw them despite the torture he was subjected to.
Harley is safely in our care, the embedded chain around his neck has been surgically removed under general anaesthetic, dead and infected tissue has been cut away, the wound has been cleaned and sutured closed and Harley is recovering in a warm bed with a strict pain management protocol, systemic antibiotics and anti-inflammatories to help him heal. He isn’t easy to treat, Harley is displaying fear-based aggression, the likely outcome of never knowing a kind hand. When he is well enough, our on-site animal behaviourist Nicole Nel will work her magic and help Harley learn to trust again.
No dogs deserve a life #chainedtopain, Please make a donation to break a chain a chain today!
