During a brutal North Carolina deep freeze, Charlie and Diamond were left outside locked in a wire crate on a porch.
As the temperature dipped to -21F with windchill (-29C), the 8-month-old Chihuahua mix named Charlie and 8-month-old female pit bull cross named Diamond huddled together trying to keep warm.
PETA fieldworkers contacted the owner, and warned that leaving them outside in extreme conditions without proper shelter is illegal. They also threatened to call the local sheriff. Instead of facing possible charges, earlier this month, the owner handed the “odd couple besties” to the animal welfare group.
The dogs wound up at the Sam Simon Center, PETA’s headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia, to warm up and then were transferred to a local shelter where they are now searing for a forever home — together.
“If you’re ready to get twice as much gratitude and love from this big and small dog combo, then Charlie and Diamond could be the perfect match for you,” Kimberly Sherlaw, executive director of the Norfolk SPCA, said in a statement. “We’re looking forward to finding them a new home where they can cuddle up for companionship instead of for survival.”
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is now reminding people to that if they see animals left out without shelter, they should alert authorities.
Animals can suffer from exposure, frostbite and could even die if left out in the cold.
“Now that Charlie’s and Diamond’s days of shivering outside in a freezing-cold crate are finally over, PETA hopes this bonded pair will find a loving indoor home together,” PETA senior vice president Colleen O’Brien said in a statement. “Their story shows why we must all keep our eyes peeled for dogs suffering and shivering out in the cold and call the authorities, or PETA, for help.”
