Dog found chained with muzzle taped shut is now living his dream life

The story of a neglected dog had a happier ending than we ever could've imagined -- all thanks to the help of some vigilant neighbors.

Today, Alfie the dog is living his best life. But just a couple months ago, he was living under conditions most could never even fathom.

Alfie's previous owners kept him outside all the time. Day and night, he slept on hard concrete, and when he cried to come inside, his muzzle was taped shut.

%shareLinks-quote="This dog was so badly damaged that it was clear that he had been beaten. He trusted no one. He barked hysterically, and rushed and snapped. He would have been killed within days." type="quote" author="The Animal Advocates Society" authordesc="" isquoteoftheday="false"%

He needed people to speak for him, immediately.

Neighbors who had witnessed the horrific abuse called animal welfare to report Alfie's owners, but unfortunately, they were told that his living conditions were not technically "illegal" and that the organization could do nothing to intervene -- no matter how badly they wanted to.

"Very often if no one comes to their rescue, dogs like this one are dumped at a pound where they may be sold to another abuser," the Animal Advocates Society, an organization that cares for neglected and abused animals, wrote on its website. "Or if their behaviour doesn't pass the 'test', they are killed."

After years of watching Alfie suffer, his guardian angels had simply had enough -- they hopped the fence and took him in as their own.

"Alfie was particularly sensitive and damaged after so much abuse, so he was far from an easy dog for a long time," wrote the Animal Advocates Society. "But he got the kind of miracle that saved his life a second time."

Image: Animal Advocates Society

Today, Alfie is finally safe, comfortable and happy all thanks to the kindness of his former neighbors-turned-family.

UPDATE: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that the ASPCA was contacted regarding this incident. It was not. The organization encourages all people who witness animal cruelty across the country to contact their local police department or the group in their community that is responsible for investigating and enforcing anti-cruelty codes (sometimes local humane organizations, animal control agencies or municipal animal shelters).