We’ve all seen it. A wide dirt circle measures the freedom of a filthy dog lugging around an oversized chain. You wince as you drive by, thinking, somebody should do something about that.

Tammy Grimes did and the story of Doogie made national news.

For three days, an elderly dog named Doogie lay chained on a cold, wet ground, unable to get up. Concerned neighbors called local authorities asking for help. But no one seemed interested. When Tammy arrived, a local neighbor was standing beside Doogie, sobbing. He lifted his head but could not lift the rest of his body.  

The owners were not home. It was just she, the sobbing neighbor and a dying dog. Tammy stared hard into Doogie’s tired eyes. That’s when she knew she would do it. Tammy later said, “…I made the decision that I would not leave him lying there on the cold wet ground for one moment longer, and I would accept all consequences of my decision.”  

The vet confirmed Doogie’s condition: low weight, sores, missing fur, advanced back spurs and an undetermined mass near his hip. Doogie was given a shot for pain and some B vitamins for energy, hoping to offer him at least one good day in his mistreated life.  

The Humane Officer was not happy that Tammy had taken Doogie. She offered to take him back, and allow the officer to take the badly treated dog. But the officer refused.  

For her efforts, Tammy was arrested and taken into custody. She was charged with theft, receiving stolen property, criminal mischief and criminal trespass.  

No one was interested in seeing the evidence that Tammy had gathered supporting her case. Instead, Chief Reilly asked the judge to deny bail because she failed to cooperate. But at 2:00 a.m. , Tammy was released on $50,000 unsecured bond. Home was 30 miles away, and she had no way—or no offer—to get there. Instead, she walked to a local all-night store to call a cab.  

Doogie faired better. He bonded quickly with his foster mom and reveled in the love he was shown. He loved his foster mom so much he waited until she left the room before peacefully passing away. 

For two years, a volunteer with The Mosby Foundation has made regular trips to a ramshackle camper in a more remote corner of western Augusta County . She has asked not to have her name disclosed, but her work has kept several dogs from starving and thirsting to death.

Tethered with chains, dogs bark, their ribs protruding like an accordion. Puppies 2 to 3 days old have no protection from winter weather. The camper is blanketed with trash, old TV’s, junk, and dog feces.

With no access to food and water, these canines live miserable, filthy lives. Our volunteer makes diligent trips to provide food and water. And she is not alone. Other concerned local citizens bring these malnourished dogs life-saving nourishment.

The Mosby Foundation approached the owner, offering money to release these dogs to us. But the answer was no. So we provided dog houses, food and water.

Claiming to love his dogs, the owner simply would not budge. Buried in the junk that is shoved under the awning of his camper, a young puppy lives his life in a wooden box. Just as the authorities in East Freedom, Pennsylvania supported a cruel and deadly canine environment, the dog wardens in this rural county turn a blind eye to the job they were hired to do.

None of these dogs have tags. But wardens claim they would have to check half the county for such owner negligence.

What is the real problem here? Is it the generations of ignorance, poverty and abuse that have beaten down that treasure we call life? With no hero to guide the way, have these children grown into adulthood with animals as the whipping post for their anger?

It’s hard to say. But what is odder still is the “old boy” school of cruelty. Some officials perpetuate the cycle of abuse and ignorance by choosing to look the other way. And the results speak for themselves. As much as 25% of fatal dog attacks have been attributed to chained dogs.

If the law is not worth enforcing, what are the “good guys” protecting?

As of this writing, a pre-trial hearing to dismiss all charges against Tammy Grimes has been set for April 17th. Supporters will be there en masse with signs and buttons, asking the world to rally for Tammy and Doogie, and against such archaic prejudice.

In Augusta County , in spite of rampant ignorance on the part of some residents and some law enforcement officers, our Mosby volunteer continues to work quietly. Her pilgrimage to poverty-infested homes of chained, malnourished dogs has become part of her life. And these canines depend on her to feed more than their bodies. She feeds them hope that someone cares.

No rallies are yet planned.