Mon 2nd July: Cages are prisons for dogs

There are obvious cases of cruelty, such as beating or hurting an animal, or abandoning a family pet in the countryside to starve or die of thirst, but dogs suffer other kinds of abuse which can stem from ignorance or sheer unkindness.   We took in two dogs today, both of which have suffered abuse even if not physical, and one case is absolutely heartbreaking.

This poor poodle has 4 twisted legs, a broken jaw and many other health issues

We were asked if we would accept a poodle that had been made homeless due to a divorce, a sadly common situation.  We agreed of course, but when the dog turned up it was with a long list of health problems and legs so bent and twisted that it can't walk.  Individually every problem would be serious, but put together I wonder how any person could have let this continue.  The poor dog can't walk and can only shuffle along on its body.  It's wearing a diaper, had liver and kidney issues, possible Cushings disease and much more.  He's not old, just a wreck, but he has lived in the previous family home in that condition for far too long.  I don't know if anything can be done as leg surgery really needs to be carried out before the joints and tendons have become set in that deformed position, and the internal problems will have to be checked for seriousness.  This may be a case where euthanasia will indeed be a mercy, we will have to see.

This is cruelty

The other dog is a golden retriever, who lives her life in a cage.  I don't care what people say about "crate" training or how dogs love to have their own "den", a cage is a cage and a dog is an intelligent animal that doesn't deserve or need to be locked up like a prisoner in a tiny space.  The bottom of this cage is just wire, for the convenience of the humans no doubt, but imagine standing on a wire floor twenty four hours a day.  This girl has no microchip so age will be estimated by the vet but we think she's around six years old.  If you are interested in adopting this girl please complete the adoption questionnaire on our website www.hongkongdogrescue.com (under Adopt).

Wishing you a happy life Violet

Some good news at least, poodle Violet was adopted today from Ap Li Chau, and further good news from Tai Po

Figgy Version 2

as two of the older puppies there are going home together.  Figgy Mark 2 and Tucker will be picked up tomorrow after they have been licensed, and I'm really happy that they will have each other in their new lives.

Tucker is going home with Figgy