3 min read
Liora the dog once spent her life at the end of a chain. She was slowly choking to death by a collar that cut so deeply into her neck, her skin started growing around it. Back then, she was called Cinnamon, and she’d been forced to live outside alone since she was a puppy. But not anymore. Thanks to the dog’s determined saviors—PETA’s fieldworkers, who’ve helped countless neglected cats and dogs just like her—Liora’s story is a tail of triumph.
A Ray of Hope for a Suffering Dog
PETA’s fieldworkers had stopped by the property where Cinnamon was kept in Bertie County, North Carolina, to give her much-needed affection, as well as insulating straw and fresh water ahead of an incoming snowstorm. Immediately, they noticed a rancid odor and discovered a massive, severely infected wound under her painfully tight collar. (This often happens when guardians put small collars on puppies and don’t loosen them or get bigger ones as they grow—and it can lead to life-threatening infections.)
Because no one was home at the time, PETA contacted the Bertie County Sheriff’s Office, and—with deputies’ assistance—the owner relinquished custody of Cinnamon, and fieldworkers rushed her to an emergency veterinary clinic, where her collar was surgically removed. Her former owner has since been charged with cruelty to animals.
The rescuers named her Liora—meaning “my light”—because her sweet spirit glows bright, despite the darkest start. After some time to heal and plenty of TLC from PETA’s staff, Liora was ready for her lease on life.
Now that Liora is safe, happy, and cherished by the loving family who adopted her, her bold personality shines through. On her very first run with her new family, she took the lead, making it clear she prefers doing things her way. From snowy play sessions with her new best pal, Ruthie—another PETA-rescued pup previously adopted by the family—to cozy moments indoors, she’s known to wag her tail like she just won the lottery.
True to her star-of-the-show personality, Liora sticks to her parents like Velcro, and if anyone is giving her sister Ruthie attention, she immediately squeezes her way in to claim some cuddles of her own. And when she races back into the house after being outside, she doesn’t just trot in—she launches inside like a furry torpedo at full speed.
Help Bring Light to Animal Companions in Need
The countless other dogs who are kept chained or penned outdoors 24/7—through all weather extremes—deserve the same happy ending as Liora got. That’s where YOU come in. Please, help support PETA fieldworkers’ vital work to rescue and care for these “backyard” dogs with a generous donation. You can also advocate for tethering bans in your community and work with elected representatives to pass ordinances that ban or restrict chaining. To get started, see what current legislation on tethering dogs exists in your community.
Dogs should never be left outside unattended. When they’re deprived of food, water, or shelter in extreme conditions, it’s an emergency—and local authorities should be contacted immediately. If they’re unresponsive, call PETA right away—day or night—at 757-622-7382.
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