Activists fight to unchain dogs

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Authorities rescued a child and family dog from a home said to be in deplorable condition.

It's a case that without the help of some very caring people could have had a very unhappy ending.

A relatively new non profit called New Mexico Dogs Deserve Better has teamed up with authorities across the state, especially those in Bernalillo County creating an animal cruelty task force.

The group's volunteers go door to door checking on chained dogs and trying to help educate owners on the dangers of animal abuse. They offer food, shelter and alternatives to chaining. In most cases that is enough, but in some cases where the animal is badly abused or the owner completely overwhelmed, NMDDB ends up taking the dog and finding it a new more loving home.

Last month the group rescued a dog from a Bernalillo County home named Little. He was living in deplorable conditions, frightened and abused. But it didn’t stop there, inside the home authorities found a child, living in the same condition as Little.

Activists say its part of a vicious cycle known as "The Link".

"The link between domestic violence and animal cruelty it's ever so present," said Angela Stell, President of NMDDB. She pointed out that often animal abuse is a sign of human abuse and child neglect.

Recently Stell and NMDDB helped rescue a dog from Las Vegas, NM who spent his whole life chained in a yard. The Labrador mix, named Trans AM, who is now about seven months old, was found with his hind leg shattered after a chaining incident.

"He was just tied to the chain and it got wrapped around his leg and when he went to pull away it broke his leg in like three places," explained Stell.

The owner left the dog like that for weeks until he was taken to a shelter and NMDDB paid to fix Trans AM's leg. He's now a healthy, playful pup who is recuperating with a foster family. Trans AM is in dire need of a forever home and is available for adoption.

It's possible neither he, nor Little or Little's human friend rescued from the Bernalillo Co. home would be alive today without NMDDB. The organization says they would not know about abuse cases if it wasn't for caring and concerned citizens keeping an eye out for those who can’t speak for themselves.

"If you see something, say something," said Stell. "Let somebody know. Let us know!"

A case against Little's owners is still pending, so authorities did not want to release names, but say they are investigating.

NMDDB is run solely on donations and is always looking for foster families and helping hands.

They also have a big fundraiser coming up on Sunday August 5, 2012 at Gecko's Bar & Tapas on Academy. For more info visit their website or their Facebook page.