Rescue Dogs Who Witnessed 'Horrendous' Domestic Violence Left Traumatized

A pair of dog siblings are seeking a new chance at life, having been removed from an abusive household.

In a video posted to TikTok by Noah's Ark Dog Rescue, a non-profit animal shelter based in East Anglia in the U.K., canine brothers Chase and Digger have been left absolutely terrified after witnessing "horrendous violence" first-hand.

A spokesperson for the shelter told Newsweek that one woman was hospitalized with unspecified injuries, while a man was arrested and has since been released on bail. It comes following reports of an incident in what was once Chase and Digger's home.

As a result, the decision was taken to remove the two dogs from the home. "A woman took them from the household but couldn't keep them as she had dogs of her own. She contacted a few rescue shelters to help, but everywhere was full," the spokesperson said.

Eventually, Noah's Ark Dog Rescue heard about the plight of the two dogs so offered to help. "They arrived on Sunday, October 1, at the kennels in Norfolk where our other dogs are," the shelter's spokesperson added. "But, as you can see from the video, they were petrified."

In 2021, a study conducted by Dr. Mary Wakeham from the University of Bristol, working alongside the animal-welfare charity Refuge4Pets, highlighted an alarming link between cases of domestic violence and animal abuse.

In a survey of 107 domestic-abuse victims, researchers found animals were also abused in 88 percent of cases. The study also discovered that animal abuse occurred in 94 percent of instances where the pet was given as a gift.

Perhaps most distressing of all, 1 in 10 cases ended in an animal being killed as a means of intimidation. Chase and Digger may have escaped that fate, but the scars left from their experience are clear to see in the video posted to TikTok by Noah's Ark Dog Rescue.

In the two-minute clip, the pair of dogs can be seen cowering and appearing scared and withdrawn in their new surroundings. "It's not only humans who are victims of domestic violence," an onscreen caption reads.

Digger, in particular, appears terrified. He is visibly scared when a volunteer goes over to pet him and can be seen shaking as the video ends.

Noah's Ark Dog Rescue does not know for sure if either dog suffered abuse, but the behavior of the two canines in the clip is a cause for concern.

"When we went in to clean the kennels and we had a broom, you could see they were physically shaking," a shelter spokesperson said.

Though the clip makes for difficult viewing, Chase and Digger's story garnered significant attention on social media. One viewer described as "heartbreaking," with another writing: "Hope they both find their happy ever after."

A third wrote: "Poor babes, do hope they get a very loving forever home soon, it's heartbreaking to think what they have gone through."

It has been a couple of weeks since the video was first filmed, but the shelter has confirmed the dogs are "slowly starting to trust" them. Plans are already in motion to help them find a new loving home and a fresh start at life.

The shelter spokesperson said: "We will be looking to try and keep them together when they are ready for adoption."

Anyone seeking help should call The National Domestic Violence Hotline, a free and confidential hotline available 24/7 that can be reached on 1-800-799-7233 or TTY 1-800-787-3224. The Hotline also provides information on local resources. For more information, visit https://www.thehotline.org/.