Legacy Dog Rescue event brings attention to chained dogs

By LINDA M. LINONIS

linonis@vindy.com

austintown

Volunteers with Legacy Dog Rescue of Ohio will be on a “chain gang” of sorts this weekend.

The rescue organization sponsors its third annual Break the Chains activity from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday at Family Video, 4385 Kirk Road.

“The event is about bringing awareness about the horrible lives of chained dogs,” said Paula Cipriano, a Legacy volunteer. “We want to bring attention to their plight.”

Cipriano said Legacy volunteers will wear dog collars and be chained to dog houses to emphasize the situation of chained dogs. The event will take place rain or shine.

The volunteer said chained dogs “usually don’t have much social interaction ... sometimes they’re without houses, food and water.”

“This is no life for a dog ... being on a chain,” Cipriano said. “They should be part of the family.”

In addition to the educational aspect of the event, the rescue organization also will sponsor a small basket auction and bake sale. There also will be a concession stand and fresh kettle corn popped from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The rescue also plans a bigger “Blind Faith” basket auction from noon to 5 p.m. June 14 at Davidson’s Restaurant, 3636 Canfield Road, Canfield. Cipriano said funds will go toward cataract surgery for Sophie, a 6-year-old Maltipoo, who has been blinded by the condition.

Legacy Dog Rescue, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization, helps dogs in Mahoning and Trumbull counties and surrounding areas.

The rescue places dogs in foster homes until they are adopted, has a spay/neuter program to reduce the number of unwanted animals and offers food assistance for dog owners who have economic hardship.

Visit its website at ldrofohio.org or follow the rescue on Facebook.