Duke with a PETA fieldworker; Duke in his new home.Photo:PETA
PETA
Duke was tied up on the property with five other dogs but was never close enough to reach or play with the other canines.
Duke’s owners left him chained up outside for four years.PETA
The fieldworkers repeatedly pleaded with the canines’ owners to surrender the dogs, but the owners refused, according to PETA.
Ultimately, it took a tragedy to get the pups out of the unsafe situation.
One of the chained dogs was discovered dead on the end of her chain, prompting PETA to alert local law enforcement and ask them to seize the remaining canines.
Duke’s former owner was charged with multiple counts of cruelty to animals, and PETA got custody of Duke and the other chained-up dogs on the North Carolina property, the organization said.
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Now, the sweet pup has a new family, including a four-legged sibling he can play with.
After four years of neglect, Duke is spending his first holiday season in a loving home.PETA
In photos the family shared with PETA, Duke can be seen cuddling with his new family, giving his new sibling lots of kisses, and sleeping in a cozy bed with Christmas toys.
Duke has also experienced many — festive — firsts in his new home, including his first toys, first Christmas treats, first visit with Santa Claus, and first time at a holiday light show.
“PETA’s fieldworkers never gave up on Duke,” said PETA senior vice president Daphna Nachminovitch in a press release. “And after years of suffering at the end of a short chain in all weather extremes, he’s finally enjoying Christmas in a safe, warm home.”
source: people.com
