Having guard dogs is common in many parts of the world. It goes without saying that most of them look intimidating when approached—after all, that’s their job.
But those who came across Cala felt something very different. Instead of fear, there was only sadness, pity, and frustration.
Cala spent her days “guarding” a car dealership in San Jose, Costa Rica. Her owner rarely fed her, and when she fell ill, no one took her to a veterinarian.
Eventually, Cala became so weak she could no longer stand. She sat on an old car tire, a short chain around her neck preventing her from even resting her head. In fact, her head literally hung from the chain, which was slowly cutting into her skin. Her breathing grew labored, and her overall health deteriorated rapidly.
If no one intervened, Cala was surely doomed.
Fortunately, a neighbor noticed her suffering and contacted the police, who in turn reached out to Territorio de Zaguates, a local animal shelter. The shelter immediately agreed to help, but rescuing Cala would not be easy.
The sight that greeted Lya Battle, founder of Territorio de Zaguates, was unforgettable. She told The Dodo: “I felt desperately sad and frustrated. The first picture we saw showed a pitiful creature, robbed of her dignity and ready to give up—a dog whose spirit had been broken, living a never-ending nightmare, just waiting for the end.”
Thanks to the coordination between the police and the shelter, Cala was finally removed from her cruel owner and taken to a veterinarian. There, she received treatment for deep wounds caused by the chain and began her long journey toward healing.