Campaign to free animals from chains launched

Wollies Animal Project in Pretoria has launched a new campaign to create awareness for the plight of chained animals.

Cilla Trexler, of Wollies, said some of the worst cases of abandonment were of pets chained up and left for dead, Rekord East reported.

“It is inhumane and illegal to chain up an animal,” said Trexler.

“We recently launched a campaign against this kind of cruelty and want everyone to share the message and create awareness in the community.”

The campaign, Have a Heart for Chained Dogs, was launched on Tuesday and will continue until February 14.

It was inspired by Elsa, a dog rescued in October 2014.

“She was found running along Old Johannesburg Road with a chain around her neck,” said Trexler.

“Her rescuer, Elsa, whom she was named after, found her in a terrible condition and took her to the nearest veterinarian.”

Trexler said the chain around the dog’s neck was so tight, it had cut into her skin.

“It had to be cut out of her neck,” she explained.

“Her rehabilitation took a very long time, as the tissue and sinew in her neck were badly damaged.”

With help of residents and social media users, sharing Elsa’s story, donations flooded in to help pay her medical bills.

Finally, after her recovery, Elsa was adopted by a family in Swellendam.

– Caxton News Service