North Carolina Rescuers Can’t Walk Away When They See A Starving Dog Tied To An Old Trampoline
Jake Roos and his PETA team were out on their usual rounds when they came across a scene that made their hearts sink.
Tied up outside on a chain was a tiny Chihuahua named Chico. A bungee cord was fastened tightly around his neck, and his little body was crawling with ticks. It was clear he had been neglected for a long time.
Roos recalled in an interview:
“We fitted him with a proper collar and gave him food, water, and flea and tick medication. We tried to get Chico’s owners to bring him inside or let us have him, but they refused. The family moved away soon after, and we worried about what would happen to Chico.”
Months passed, and it seemed like Chico’s story might have ended there, but fate had other plans.
One day, while Roos was checking on other chained dogs at a rural North Carolina trailer park, he noticed a familiar little face tied to an old trampoline. It was Chico, still there, still waiting, and in desperate need of help.
The place was almost empty, and the presence of two aggressive dogs close by made the situation even more heartbreaking.
Chico was dangerously underweight, with no food or water in sight. This time, Roos was able to persuade the owner to hand him over.
Once Chico was finally released, his condition spoke louder than words. He was just a “shell of himself,” with ribs and hip bones jutting out, too exhausted to do anything except curl up and sleep.
Roos noted that dogs left chained outside often face extreme loneliness and neglect, far worse than most people realize, sharing:
“They’re deprived of veterinary care, exercise, companionship, or even a kind word. Being social animals, they can become deeply depressed or develop aggression from the frustration of being kept alone for so long.”
After Chico got his vaccinations and settled into a foster home, it was obvious he still had a lot of healing to do.
He was jumpy, anxious, and often shook from fear. But with patience and kindness, he gradually began to open up again.
He grew close to his foster dad and became obsessed with a squeaky donut toy that quickly turned into his little comfort item.
In time, Chico’s journey finally brought him the ending he deserved. He was adopted by a retired woman who had been missing the companionship of a dog since losing her last one years before.
For the first time in his life, Chico finally had warmth, safety, and real affection, everything he’d been missing for years. Roos shared:
“He loves playing with his toys, and his favorite part of the day is mealtime. He also loves his treats and being tucked into bed at night. Chico’s guardian treats him like the true family member he is, and his life couldn’t be more different than what it was.”
Now, Chico has swapped the cold dirt for cozy blankets, loneliness for companionship, and fear for calm.
His journey shows just how far kindness and determination can go, even the most hurting animals can heal and find a place to belong.
