Just imagine, for a moment, someone tying a hard metal wire around your mouth. Imagine the pain with every movement, the inability to eat, drink, or even breathe properly. That unthinkable suffering is exactly what happened to one poor dog in the mountains of Manali.
A Heartbreaking Report
One afternoon, the Manali Strays rescue team received a desperate call. A dog had been found with a thick, sharp wire wound tightly around his muzzle. No one knew how long he had been enduring it. Each passing minute meant deeper cuts, swelling, and unbearable pain.
Subhas and Tejash, two of the most experienced rescuers on the team, wasted no time. They gathered their equipment and rushed to the location.
When they arrived, the sight was devastating. The dog sat quietly in a corner, shivering. His eyes darted nervously at every sound, his entire body trembling not only from fear but from exhaustion. The wire around his mouth was wound so tightly that it had cut into his skin.
A Gentle Approach
Rescue missions are never just about speed; they are about trust. Subhas and Tejash knew they had to be careful. A dog in pain can lash out, and this one was terrified. Slowly, step by step, they approached.
When they were close enough, they gently placed a net over him—not to scare him, but to keep him from hurting himself further. The dog let out a soft whimper, his body stiff with fear. Then came the sedative injection, given with care to calm him and ease his pain.
Within minutes, his breathing steadied, his muscles loosened, and his eyes closed. It was time to act.
The Wire Removed
Subhas took a pair of cutters and leaned close. The wire was no ordinary thread; it looked like a broken brake cable, tough and dangerous. With steady hands, he worked carefully, cutting piece by piece until finally—at last—the wire snapped free.
The sight of the blood-stained wire was chilling. No one knew how it had gotten there. Was it an act of cruelty, someone deliberately binding his mouth shut? Or had the dog accidentally gotten caught in discarded waste? The truth may never be known. But what mattered now was that he was free.
Safe at the Shelter
The team immediately transported the dog to the Manali Strays shelter. They named him Colin. At the shelter, he was weighed, examined, and his wounds were cleaned.
To everyone’s relief, the damage wasn’t as bad as they had feared. The wire had caused deep pressure marks, but there were no broken bones or life-threatening injuries. His mouth was swollen, sore, and bruised, but with proper care, it would heal.
Colin was kept under observation for several days. He was given soft meals, plenty of water, and antibiotics to prevent infection. With each passing day, his fear slowly faded. He began to wag his tail timidly whenever the staff approached.
A Message to Humanity
Colin’s rescue was more than just the story of one dog. It was a stark reminder of the dangers humans create for animals without even realizing it. That wire, whether discarded carelessly or tied by cruel hands, had the power to end his life.
Animals don’t understand how harmful human-made objects can be. They explore with their mouths, sniffing, chewing, and sometimes getting trapped in things we leave behind. A single careless act—like throwing a wire or plastic bag onto the street—can mean suffering or death for an innocent creature.
This is why the Manali Strays team urges everyone: be responsible. Dispose of dangerous materials properly. Something as small as a brake cable can become a death trap for a dog, cat, cow, or even a bird.
Healing and Hope
Thanks to Subhas, Tejash, and the entire Manali Strays team, Colin is now safe. His wounds are healing, his appetite has returned, and he is beginning to trust again. He plays in the shelter yard, wagging his tail more each day.
Every time we look at him, we are reminded that compassion is powerful. A single act of kindness—the decision to help instead of ignore—can change the course of a life forever.
Colin’s story is proof of this.
He may never be able to tell us how the wire ended up around his mouth, but his wagging tail, bright eyes, and gentle spirit tell us everything we need to know: he is grateful, he is healing, and he is alive because someone cared enough to make a difference.
