The Smithtown-based Guardians of Rescue recovered Bear, an elderly Lab-chow, from a residence in Shirley last week after fielding reports of a dog that appeared to be in need of assistance.
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"We were able to get the owners to turn him over to us and it became the first day of the rest of his life," said a member of the rescue organization, Guardians of Rescue.
Watch video of the dog's rescuers cutting his chain here:
Video shows chained dog being freed after 15 years
The chain was a 35-pound weight on his neck.
Members of the organization quickly realized how poorly Bear was being treated when they dropped off a new doghouse for him.
Robert Misseri, founder of Guardians of Rescue, says that's when the group knew they had to do something to make a difference in the dog's life.
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Bear is now available for adoption through Save-A-Pet. He's in good health and has already had a couple of outings.
If you're interesting in adopting him, check out the organization's website here.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.