Chained Dog Trapped Under Tree Survives Tornado Thanks to Cars That Took the Hit

Tornadoes tore through St. Louis on Friday, leaving fallen trees and debris in their wake. While the staff at Stray Rescue of St. Louis were thankfully safe, they soon received a call about a dog heard crying for help, chained behind an abandoned house and trapped beneath fallen trees.

When rescuer Donna Lochman arrived, she saw a large tree that had crushed two old cars. Peeking out from the branches was Lita, a Pit Bull with a heavy chain padlocked around her neck and the chain anchored to the fallen tree.

Surveying the damage, Donna figured it was the old cars that had saved Lita’s life. “I hate to say it but I think this car probably saved your life,” she told the growling dog as she approached her.

Donna offered Lita some sausages, which the grateful pup eagerly accepted. After some coaxing, Donna managed to free her. Soon, Lita was on her freedom ride back to the shelter.

An even greater freedom awaited — the removal of the heavy padlock and chain from around her neck. Stray Rescue of St. Louis shared that although they are over capacity, they couldn’t turn their backs on Lita. They’ve named her Lita, an acronym for “Love Is The Answer.” They added that people can call them about any dogs trapped, chained, or left in wreckage.”

The shelter is also helping people in the community who have lost everything in the disaster. They wrote on Facebook:

“If you can help us stock up our pet food pantry, please send a bag or two! We will distribute them to families who need help feeding their pets. We added dog food, cat food, and kitty litter to the top. Sadly, some of our community members lost everything. They shouldn’t lose their pets, too.”

See their disaster relief list of supplies here: Strayrescue.org/wish-list. Also, if you can foster to free up space in their shelter visit: StrayRescue.org/foster