We all hate hearing about cases like this, but it's still important to bring them up because here in Singapore, animals are still getting abused.

Here's a sad but hopeful story of a dog nicknamed C.

About five years ago, Mary (as she prefers to be known) noticed C was always chained on a short leash in a shop, which she visited frequently.

She found out that the dog was neither walked nor given food and drink regularly.

Whenever C tried to be friendly with her owners, she would be teased and the children would even stick bubblegum in her fur. One of the owners even admitted to Mary that she would shoo the dog away whenever she tried to approach her.

Mary also heard from the owners' neighbours that from time to time, C would be placed in a small cage and taken to Chua Chu Kang, where her owners have a fish farm.

Getting to know C

Mary then decided to try walking C. However, due to the neglect and abuse she appears to have been put through, C reacted badly to touch, as the video below shows:

[video width="224" height="400" mp4="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2017/08/chained-dog-2.mp4"][/video]

It was not easy at first, but C did not try to bite them as long as no one tried to touch her. The following video is of C on a walk:

[video width="224" height="400" mp4="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2017/08/chained-dog-3.mp4"][/video]

The dog has also been described as "suspicious and fearful", but seemed to enjoy the human accompaniment and companionship Mary provided. 

Mary has been walking C two to three times a day for the past four years, and even brings the dog to her apartment for a few hours' reprieve.

She also makes sure to leave some food and water for C after the walks.

In a reflection she contributed to Chained Dog Awareness Singapore (CDAS), she said she is happy that C is learning to be affectionate with people again.

A new home

Unfortunately, Mary will soon be moving away from her home in the estate where the shop is, and will no longer be able to visit or walk C.

However, she has persuaded the owners to give the dog up — now, CDAS is helping Mary to find a forever home for C.

When CDAS volunteers visited to assess the dog's temperament, they noted, like Mary, that C does not like being touched due to past experiences with her owners.

Nonetheless, C enjoys being walked and will not attempt to bite as long as she is not touched. A trainer from the organisation will also be working with any potential adopters to gain the dog's trust.

If you are interested in helping C or the organisation, you can visit their Facebook page here.

You can read Mary's original post here:

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