After Horrific Neglect, Rescue Dog Finds Joy In Central Islip Home

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY — Just weeks ago, a young dog was living chained outdoors with a collar embedded deep into her neck, suffering from infection and neglect in rural North Carolina.

Today, she’s racing through her new home on Long Island, soaking up attention and affection from a family that says there was “no way” they could turn her away.

The dog, now named Liora, is recovering after being rescued by PETA fieldworkers on Jan. 31, just ahead of a snowstorm that could have made her already dire condition far worse.

The rescue was part of an effort to check on animals in high-risk rural areas during extreme weather, particularly in northeastern North Carolina, where chained dogs are a common sight, according to the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

“There was a snowstorm coming that day, and we had as many teams as possible out in the field,” said Rachel Bellis, PETA’s Director of Local Affairs.

Bellis said PETA regularly visits certain communities where animal conditions are consistently poor.

“This was in a trailer park that we visit regularly because the conditions are so bad for animals,” she said.

Liora, who was previously known as Cinnamon, was not new to PETA’s fieldworkers. They had been monitoring her situation since she was a puppy, repeatedly trying to help her owners improve conditions.

On that day, fieldworkers approached the property and immediately noticed something was wrong.

“When the previous owners got her, they immediately put her on a chain,” Bellis said. “We had been trying to help these folks for years. They smelled infection and saw that her collar had become embedded. It had cut deeply into her flesh. These dogs are basically forgotten. They’re put outside as puppies, and nobody ever thinks to make their collar bigger as they grow.”

Because no one was home, PETA contacted local authorities. Deputies responded and allowed the team to take the dog for emergency veterinary care. The owner later surrendered Liora and was charged with animal cruelty. The case remains ongoing.

“We were just so lucky we found her when we did—because we have seen cases worse than hers, and those dogs don’t make it,” Bellis said.

While Liora still had a chance to survive, the combination of infection and freezing weather could have quickly turned fatal.

Once in care, Liora underwent surgery and began recovering. What followed, Bellis said, was a transformation that speaks to the resilience of animals—even those who have endured prolonged neglect.

“She was outside every minute of every day on that same small patch of dirt,” Bellis said. “Once she was off that chain and started feeling better, it didn’t take long—she’s young, she’s resilient, and she just wanted love.”

While many dogs raised in isolation develop fear or aggression, Liora showed the opposite.

“Her resilience is what stands out,” Bellis said. “Despite everything she went through, she still trusts people.”

For lifelong Central Islip resident Kenny Carney, Liora’s spirit was clear from the beginning.

“There was no way we were saying no to her,” Carney said, recalling how he and his family came to adopt Liora after their previous dog passed unexpectedly.

Already familiar with rescue animals, the Central Islip resident said the decision felt natural.

“We already had a PETA rescue, and we were hoping to get a third,” Carney said.

Now living in a Central Islip home with two dogs, two cats and even a parakeet, Liora has adjusted seamlessly, forming bonds with every member of the household.

“She’s family,” Carney said. “She’s been a bundle of joy from the start. Given what happened to her, you’d think she’d be different—but she loves people.”

Even situations that might typically cause stress—like a recent vet visit to remove a foreign object—barely fazed her.

“I was worried how she’d react, but she was just having fun the whole time,” he said. “She doesn’t care—she just wants attention.”

For Carney, who has spent much of his life adopting animals in need, Liora’s story reinforces what he already believes about rescue dogs.

“It’s always worth it,” he said. “Not only is it worth it, but it’s not nearly as complicated as people think. They just need a little time, a little patience, and love.”

Carney, 43, grew up in a household where adopting animals was the norm, recalling that even as a teenager, his pets came from rescue organizations like the North Shore Animal League America in Port Washington. Over the years, that pattern continued, with dogs often coming into his life through adoption or family situations where others could no longer care for them.

Today, he lives in a multi-generational household alongside his wife, Nikki and his 81-year-old mother, Eleanor, whom they care for full-time as she lives with Alzheimer’s.

“They called her a ‘Velcro dog,’ and now I get it,” Carney said. “If I’m giving attention to another pet, she comes running—she wants to be part of everything.”

Bellis hopes stories like Liora’s can spark broader awareness about the conditions many animals still face, particularly in areas where laws and enforcement fall short.

“This is very common. We see embedded collars all the time,” she said. “The laws haven’t kept up—by the time authorities can act, the situation is already severe.”

PETA continues to advocate for stronger protections, including chaining bans and clearer standards of care, and says public awareness and action remain critical.

“Liora was being slowly choked to death by a deeply embedded collar, but today she’s safe in a new home and finally getting the comfort, care, and love she deserves,” said PETA Senior Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch. “PETA urges everyone to keep their dogs safe indoors, to report cruelty and neglect wherever they see it, and help spare others the misery that Liora once suffered by pushing for chaining bans in their communities.”

Now in a home where she is no longer tethered to a chain but instead runs freely between rooms, pets, and people, Liora has become exactly what her new family says she is.

“She’s great,” Carney said. “As soon as she went out for a run, she started pulling us—she leads. She’s fast. She gets along with the cats and plays with them a lot. She’s a bundle of joy. Adopting a rescue dog—it’s always worth it.”