Stray Dogs Found With Chains Locked Around Their Neck In Dearborn

DEARBORN, MI — A Dearborn animal shelter is asking the community for help after two stray dogs were found with chains locked around their necks.

Dearborn Animal Control found two stray dogs dragging chains around their necks at the Ford-Wyoming Drive-In Movie theater on the Dearborn/Detroit border, according to the group.

One of the dogs, whom the group named Gilligan, was dragging two tow chains pad-locked around his neck weighing 18 pounds, which is more than half his body weight, according to the group.

Moreover, the group said the heavy chains around Gilligan’s neck were staring to become embedded in his skin, leading the group to believe that the chains had been locked around his neck for a long time, according to the group.

Gilligan needed surgery to remove the chains and will need to receive daily care for the immediate future to change his bandages and prevent infection, according to the group.

Gilligan needed surgery to remove the chains and will need to receive daily care for the immediate future to change his bandages and prevent infection, according to the group. (Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit)

The other dog, named Skipper, was also found with a smaller chain wrapped around his neck that was secured with a carabiner, according to the group.

Skipper only suffered minor hair loss and had some fly strikes on his ears, according to the group.

Skipper only suffered minor hair loss and had some fly strikes on his ears, according to the group. (Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit)

Officials do believe both dogs will make a full recovery.

Both dogs were brought to the Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit, who are offering a $1,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest and criminal charges.

"Gilligan and Skipper are survivors," said Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit President and CEO Cory Keller in a statement. "Who knows how long they were living in these conditions. Gilligan is extremely lucky he received the help when he did. This could have been a deadly outcome for him if left untreated. I cannot imagine the pain and suffering he went through carrying this heavy tow chain around his neck for weeks, if not months. This is something that does not happen overnight."

Friends for Animals is also collecting donations to pay for Gilligan’s surgery, which the group says will cost more than $1,500. More information is available at metrodetroitanimals.org/donate.

Anyone with information can call 313-943-2697, ext. 1004 and leave a message.