Goodbye Dear Chase

Rescue personnel at In Defense of Animals’ Hope Animal Sanctuary in rural Grenada, Mississippi were alerted by local animal advocates about a young dog who had apparently been dumped in a remote part of the county. Immediately, it was clear that this pup had a severe and life threatening case of mange. What was particularly curious about this case was the pup’s enormous fear and distrust of people.

Even though rescue staff were certain that he must be very hungry and should have responded to being lured with food, he still avoided all contact with people. Even baited traps failed to catch him.. Evidently, he had been abandoned sufficiently long ago that he had become feral. After days of failed attempts, he was finally caught by the same people who had alerted us to his situation in the first place.

Appropriately named Chase, he was immediately taken to a veterinary clinic for evaluation. 48 hours later a call from the vet advised us that Chase was both blind and deaf. Chase had never heard soft words to help sooth him, and he had never seen a kind face or a smile. The untreated mange had spread infection throughout his body; his skin was dry and cracked and would bleed at the gentlest touch causing him to cry out in pain. Chase had endured endless misery and anguish both physical and emotional, and there was nothing we could do to help him. Chase had never known human kindness, never known the comforts of a full belly and a warm bed. With heavy hearts the difficult decision was made to end his suffering as softly and gently as we were able. It was the only kindness he had known his whole short life and the only act of compassion left to us in the face of his deteriorating condition.
The work at IDA is difficult, sometimes unbearably so. Day after day we are witness to the worst cases of abuse and neglect. An unending procession of suffering that marches onward, unending and unrelenting. But each day we rise to meet the onslaught of tragedy because; not only do the animals need us but our generous supporters believe in us. Your support bolsters our vital sense of compassion; your faith in our work heals our broken hearts so that tomorrow they can be broken and rebuilt anew. It is your commitment to our mission that provides us the courage to carry on in the face of tragedy.

We tried to save Chase, we tried so very hard. Please click here to help us to continue to fight for Chase and for others like him. Knowing how much you care makes all of the difference.