Tiny Emaciated Dog Chained Up For Weeks. Owner’s Response Leaves Rescuers Speechless

Natalie Hoage |

Feb 16, 2024

At the end of January, Hope Dog Rescue Singapore was notified that a dog was chained up to a gate with no access to food or water. A neighbor said the dog barked constantly, and that the owner had been keeping the dog like that for quite some time.

Dog rescue story: Tiny Emaciated Dog Chained Up On Porch. When Rescuers Arrive Owners Response Leaves them Speechless

The concerned neighbor tried to contact the dog’s owner, but the owner refused to answer the door. The SPCA was notified and tried to make contact, but the owner wouldn’t come to the door. When Hope Dog Rescue went out on January 30th to check on the dog, who they named Caitlyn, the door to the apartment was open and they were able to make contact with the owner.

Rescue Volunteers Speak to Caitlyn’s Owner

When the rescuers arrived at the owner’s door, they noticed that there were two automatic food and water dispensers near the gate where the neighbor said Caitlyn had been chained up, but both were completely empty. The rescuers had been given a picture of the dog tied to the gate showing a filthy floor covered in dog feces, but when they got there the floor was clean and Caitlyn was nowhere to be found.

Rescuers called for the owner, who came to the door but said that the dog was “showering”. They continued to talk to the owner and asked to see the dog. They then told her that people were concerned for the dog’s welfare and asked her to give them the dog. After more than an hour of trying to get her to give them the dog, she remained hesitant until they told her she could get in trouble with the law. She told them to wait, and an hour later came out with Caitlyn who was wrapped up in a soaking wet towel.

Rescuers Are Shocked by Caitlyn’s Appearance

It was clear to the rescuers that the woman had tried to clean up the dog. Caitlyn’s body had been shaved, but the fur on her head and paws was so matted and covered in feces that she couldn’t shave it away. Her bones were clearly visible, proof that the dog was not being fed.

Although she’d been given a bath, she was still a mess and rescuers said, “you cannot imagine the stench.” There was brown liquid coming out of her ears, and Caitlyn kept trying to wipe her head against the towel to get it out.

It was after midnight by the time the owner handed the dog over. Rescuers had to drive with the car windows down due to the smell coming from the poor dog. Unfortunately, emergency vet care wasn’t available that night, but they were able to get Caitlyn care the next morning.

It Took Hours To Clean the Dog Up

Caitlyn’s fur around her face was so matted and covered in feces that it made it impossible for her to see. It took the vets working on her more than two hours to cut away the mats, and the mats they removed were the size of the vet’s hand.

Mats on her feet and paws were also covered in feces and her nails had curled into her paws. Once they removed all of the mats, they were able to examine Caitlyn, and thought she was approximately 10 years old and she weighed about half of what a normal Shih Tzu weighed. She had been starved.

Where Is Caitlyn Now?

Hope shared the video to their Facebook page on February 4th, a week after her rescue. As of that date, she was still at the veterinarian clinic. “Her vitals are stable, but she has mange and we are waiting for her ringworm results. We will arrange a heart and abdomen ultrasound because she has a heart murmur.”

Days later, they shared that she has chronic kidney disease, a bladder stone, and pancreatitis. They also said, “She has bad arthritis in her hind legs. Her back legs are also very weak and she has a poor sitting posture. Her hind legs cross when she sits. We think it’s probably from being chained up and lack of movement. We will start her on massage when she is more settled.”

She’s currently staying with one of her rescuers and they are looking for a foster family for her. Her previous owner is under investigation.

Caitlyn is continuing to gain weight, strength, and spirit. “Despite the gross neglect, she is such a happy and sweet dog, constantly wagging her tail when we talk to her.” We hope that Caitlyn finds a forever family that shows her the love that she deserves.