A guard dog named Cala, chained so tightly that her head hung from her neck, has made a remarkable recovery after neighbors, police and an animal sanctuary in Costa Rica stepped in. Weak, sick and unable to stand when she was found, she survived years of neglect and later a poisoning attack at the shelter, and was eventually placed with a foster family.
A Guard Dog in Distress
Guard dogs are common around the world, and most look intimidating to anyone who approaches, which is part of their job. But for those who came across Cala, who “guarded” a car dealership in San José, Costa Rica, fear was not the reaction. People felt sadness, pity and frustration.
According to iHeartDogs, her owner was a mechanic. Cala was rarely fed, and when she became ill she was not taken to a veterinarian. In the end she was so weak that she could no longer stand. She sat on an old car tire with a short chain around her neck that prevented her from resting her head.
Her head was literally hanging from the chain, which was slowly cutting into her skin. Her health worsened as she struggled to keep her head up, and she developed breathing problems among other conditions. Without rescue, she would almost certainly have died.
Neighbors, Police and a Sanctuary Step In
A neighbor noticed how poor Cala’s condition was and contacted the police. The police in turn asked Territorio de Zaguates, a local animal shelter, whether it could help.
The shelter’s founder, Lya Battle, told The Dodo that she felt desperately sad and frustrated when she first saw the photo, which showed “a pitiful creature robbed of its dignity.” She described a dog whose spirit seemed broken, waiting for the end.
Police and shelter staff removed Cala from the property and took her to a veterinarian, where she was treated for her injuries, including deep wounds from the chain.
A Slow Road to Recovery
After her vet stay, Cala moved to Territorio de Zaguates to heal, both physically and emotionally. Recovery took time: the wounds were difficult to treat, and the trauma left lasting marks.
Volunteers at first thought Cala hated the other dogs, and they worried it might be impossible to rehabilitate her. Battle believed she may have had a traumatic experience with dogs or humans in the past. One theory among volunteers was that Cala had never met other dogs, and some even suspected she had been trained to attack other animals.
Gradually, Cala began to trust other dogs. Battle said she changed from a weak, depressed and shy animal into a strong, confident one. She went from fearing people to trusting them and even pestering them for attention.
A Poisoning Attack at the Shelter
Cala’s troubles were not over. In June 2018, people broke into the shelter and left out sausages laced with poison. Sixteen dogs died. Cala ate one of the sausages but survived, probably because of her size compared with how much she ate.
She was left shaken and struggled for a time with neurological problems, but she recovered again.
Where Cala Is Now
According to the 2018 reports, Cala was living with a foster family, which, iHeartDogs says, includes another dog, and gets all the love and attention she needs. Battle said Cala had survived years of neglect, torture, hunger and illness, and that her story is one she will never forget. Battle has rescued countless dogs and plans to save many more.
About Territorio de Zaguates
National Geographic describes Territorio de Zaguates, which means “Land of the Strays,” as a no-kill dog shelter about an hour from downtown San José. Its roughly 378 acres of tropical mountain land give scores of dogs room to roam freely. Founders Lya Battle and her husband Alvaro Saumet began taking in strays from the streets of San José, and the shelter later moved to a farm owned by Battle’s grandfather.
How to Help Dogs in Distress
- Report neglect. If a dog appears to be in danger, contact local police, animal control or an animal welfare organization.
- Support rescues. Shelters like Territorio de Zaguates depend on donations, volunteers and foster homes.
- Consider fostering or adopting. A foster home can give a recovering dog a safe place to heal.
Gear for a Happy, Healthy Dog
A comfortable life for a dog starts with the right equipment:
- Properly fitted dog collars and harnesses for walks, never a short chain.
- Orthopedic dog beds and warming blankets for rest and recovery.
- Dog first aid kits and pet insurance to help cover vet visits and unexpected costs.
- Chew toys and enrichment games to keep rescued dogs busy and happy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Cala? Cala is a guard dog from San José, Costa Rica, who was rescued from a short chain after years of neglect.
Who rescued her? Neighbors alerted the police, who contacted the animal shelter Territorio de Zaguates. Together, they removed her and took her to a vet.
What happened at the shelter in June 2018? People broke in and left out poisoned sausages. Sixteen dogs died, but Cala ate one and survived.
How is Cala doing? According to 2018 reports, she was living with a foster family and had recovered from her injuries and trauma.
Sources: The Dodo, iHeartDogs, National Geographic, and Territorio de Zaguates, all covering the rescue of Cala, a guard dog kept on a short chain in San José, Costa Rica, her recovery, and the June 2018 poisoning at the shelter.
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