Help an Animal // Celebrities Get Active
Sir's Story Tugs at Hearts of Hip-Hop Mogul and Model
Sir's Story
Sir, this mixed-breed dog, lived tethered for more than three years in PETA's hometown of Norfolk, Virginia. Over the years, our field officers frequently visited him and repeatedly found him languishing alone in conditions unfit for any creature, let alone a social pack animal like a dog.
Sir was constantly found tangled in his chain—at times, he could move barely three inches. His tiny "living" area, no more than the chain's radius, was always filled with feces. Sir could rarely reach his doghouse and what little water was sometimes provided for him. We found him, cold and shivering, as the temperature dropped.
Sir was as socially deprived as he was physically forgotten by his guardian: No one came to walk him or even pat him on the head or scratch behind his ears.
This was Sir's life—chained for 24 hours each day, month after month, for three years. It was both cruel and criminal: Norfolk law prohibits the tethering of dogs for more than 12 hours in any 24-hour period.
Local animal control officials charged Sir's guardian with failure to provide duties of ownership. This March, he pleaded guilty.
Sir was finally granted freedom and was surrendered to the city. His guardian was ordered never again to own, maintain, care for, or harbor any animals in Norfolk.
Russell Simmons and Kimora Lee Simmons United in Helping Animals Like Sir
When the news of Sir's long, miserable life and recent freedom reached hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons, the legend took time out of his jam-packed schedule to record PETAWorld's latest public service announcement urging everyone to bring their dogs inside where they belong.
“Most likely, your dogs would do anything for you—the least you could do is bring them inside and make them part of your family,” Russell says. Dogs are pack animals who want to be together, just like us, and they suffer from stress and loneliness when they're stuck outside at the end of a chain or caged up in a small pen or kennel. In fact, if we had to come up with the worst possible torture for dogs, solitary confinement would most likely be it. So, as Russell put it: “Bring your dogs inside. Leaving them outside does not make them tougher or smarter or better. It just makes you a jerk. … Your dogs deserve a better life. Your dogs are your family.”
Russell was not the only one touched by Sir and the plight of dogs like him: Model and clothing designer Kimora Lee Simmons, moved by the images of dogs PETA field officers have helped, recently donated to our “Angel for Animals” program.
Her generosity will help PETA provide shelter for dozens of lonely dogs who, like Sir, live outside for years—or even their entire lives. Our program provides sturdy, solid, straw-filled doghouses for dogs who are forced to live outdoors in the freezing cold and snow of winter, the sweltering heat of summer, or the rainy days of spring. Our doghouses are often the only “home” these dogs have ever had, and they jump for joy and curl up inside them to get out of the wind and sleet. Last year alone, PETA built and delivered 571 long-lasting doghouses and straw to needy dogs.
For some animals, being inside a warm house isn't an option during the winter, but for just $5, you can help give them a bit of warmth by donating a bale of straw. It may not seem like much to you, but to a needy animal, it could be the difference between life and death next winter.
Help a Neighborhood Backyard Dog
Many dogs have had their whole lives gradually changed, all because someone cared enough to intervene, and some lucky dogs have eventually been given to those who intervened. Others have been saved by anti-chaining legislation.
Hand out PETA's literature on chained dogs to folks who may not be aware of the cruelty or danger involved in chaining.
You can also sport PETA's “Friends Don't Chain Friends” T-shirt and put our new bumper sticker on your vehicle.
You can improve the lives of dogs and cats suffering from cruelty and neglect.
Forward this to friends.
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