Chief was a victim of “no kill” policies, one of which is no barriers to adoption, or giving animals away to just anyone. In 2020, at just 7 months old, the German shepherd puppy was adopted out from a local Hampton Roads, Virginia, shelter to a North Carolina man who kept him penned outdoors 24/7.
After discovering Chief in a prison-like pen in 2021, PETA’s Community Animal Project fieldworkers realized it was kickoff time. With Chief’s owner initially blocking the team’s attempts to score the dog a Lombardi Trophy–deserving home indoors, fieldworkers continued to call plays, hoping that each little gain in yardage would eventually result in a victory for the deserving dog.
For years, fieldworkers ensured that the showy shepherd had shade and flea medicine during the summer months, insulating straw during North Carolina’s harsh winters, and fresh water year-round. Chief’s pen was always a sad sight—field team members described the enclosure as a “mud pit” that was “flowing with mud, water, feces” and “filled with flies.” “It smelled terrible,” one fieldworker noted. Meanwhile, despite his pitiful surroundings, Chief was described as “very sweet,” “a big regal GSD,” “really cool,” and “handsome.”
With no hope of punting Chief’s case to the less-than-helpful local animal control agency, PETA committed to driving his chance at freedom down the field. Finally finding themselves in the end zone, with Chief’s owner admitting to worsening ailments, fieldworkers nabbed a win for the regal, handsome MVP (most valuable pup, that is).
Forget hell week … Chief survived years of isolation and neglect. Now in PETA’s care, he’s discovering—with great glee—a whole new world. He’s traded the overwhelming stench of urine and piles of his own waste, deep mud, and devastating deprivation for a loving foster home with clean, soft bedding and regular walks and rolls in the grass …
… sniffs galore, opportunities to meet other dogs, and even time to splash around in his preferred kiddie pool!
With his matted, Brillo pad–like fur finally bathed and brushed out and his once-bloody fly-strike wounds doing better than the New York Jets last season, Chief is ready to touch down with his new, true wolfpack!
Chief is roughly 6 years old and weighs nearly 85 lbs. He’s neutered, fully vaccinated, and currently being fostered in PETA’s hometown of Norfolk, Virginia. While he enjoys tailgating with other dogs, he seems to prefer that cats remain on the sidelines. After 6 years of neglected health and happiness, this gentle giant needs an adopter who will be keen to shepherd him toward finally getting good care. And while it’s only required that adoption applicants live on or near the East Coast, Chief wanted it mentioned that Kansas City residents may get the extra point …
So put your game face on and avoid any fumbles as you e-mail [email protected] or click below to inquire about drafting this chiefly chap as a member of your home team:
