Scooby celebrates first birthday as a free dog after lifetime spent chained in misery

A rescue dog who spent his entire life chained to the ground has celebrated the happiest birthday of his life, with presents, treats and the freedom to run across open fields.

Scooby, who turned 13 this week, marked his first birthday since finding a loving forever home by enjoying a visit to a secure dog-friendly field, where he bounded across the grass, played freely and tucked into special birthday treats. The scenes were a world away from the life he endured for more than 12 years.

Scooby was rescued from a terraced property in an urban area of northern Portugal after spending virtually his entire life permanently chained outside. Starved, suffering from severe mange and reportedly beaten by drunken neighbours, he had little hope of ever escaping his ordeal.

Local animal rescuers Joana Faria and La Salete Gomes, from Famalicão Sem Correntes, spent nearly two years persuading his owners to surrender him before finally securing his freedom.

Campaigner Eduardo Gonçalves, 58, from Gosport, Hampshire, helped coordinate the rescue before welcoming Scooby into his own home with his wife, Marisa, 58.

The nervous, neglected dog who had never known kindness has become an affectionate family companion who now spends his days choosing between the sofa, an armchair and his own bed before demanding morning belly rubs.

Eduardo, Scooby and Marisa

Earlier this year, Scooby returned to Portugal for a holiday and shared an emotional reunion with the women who rescued him. In touching scenes, he sprinted towards them with his tail wagging furiously before showering them with kisses, leaving both rescuers visibly emotional.

Scooby's remarkable journey also inspired the launch of the Unchained campaign, founded by Eduardo to end the practice of permanently chaining dogs.

The campaign, whose patrons are Peter Egan, and Dr Marc Abraham OBE (Marc The Vet) works to raise awareness of the welfare problems associated with long-term tethering, encourages owners to provide dogs with freedom, companionship and proper care, and highlights rescue stories that demonstrate how dramatically dogs can recover when given a second chance. Scooby proudly serves as the campaign's first ambassador.

His birthday comes as fresh concerns are raised for thousands of dogs still living on chains across Portugal, where soaring temperatures and wildfires are once again threatening communities. Animal welfare groups and politicians have warned that permanently tethered dogs are among the most vulnerable, facing the risk of heatstroke and, in some cases, being unable to escape advancing fires.

Eduardo Gonçalves said: "Watching Scooby celebrate his 13th birthday was incredibly emotional because it's the first one where he has truly been able to enjoy life as every dog should. He spent more than 12 years knowing only loneliness, fear and the end of a chain, yet now he runs freely, plays, opens presents and enjoys birthday treats surrounded by people who love him.

"Scooby reminds us every single day that it is never too late to change a dog's life. The Unchained campaign exists because there are still countless dogs living as Scooby once did. We want people to see his story and realise that every dog deserves freedom, kindness and the chance to simply be a dog."

Find out more about the Unchained campaign at www.unchaineddogs.org