Duke’s story has gone viral! People all over the world have read about his rescue and we have received hundreds of messages of support. It’s incredible to think that people as far Thailand, Sri Lanka and the United States have now heard about RSDR thanks to our plucky little pal, Duke.
We are often asked whether the person/people who abused Duke have been prosecuted and brought to justice. The sad fact is that we don’t know who hurt Duke and most likely we never will. So we focus on what we can do to help the many, many other street dogs and cats who need our help like Duke.
Many of you have asked for updates on Duke’s progress so we asked His adopter for some recent photos to show you how well he is doing in his forever in England. Look what a happy chap he is!
If you would like to help us to rescue more dogs like Duke, please consider making a donation for our shelter renovations.
Alternatively, you could make a one-off donation or sponsor one of our cats or dogs.
Thank you so much for your support!
Rudozem Street Dog Rescue 
[…] an update on Duke from July 2016 to see how he’s thriving in his forever home in […]
precious. you did such a wonderful job for him. I tried to send a donation for the exercise yard, but the screen said “county”, which is probably for England, and not state, which is U.S.
Hi Dolly, thank you for trying. Other people have had the same problem. PayPal says:
NOTE: CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS – There have been some issues with some countries paying by credit card advising that UK settings are only available for county instead of State for their country. This is because your own country settings have not loaded. To rectify this, choose any other country from the drop down list, wait for those settings to load, then choose your own country again, and hopefully your country settings then should correctly load so you should have State instead of County).
Thank you so much for your support 😘
I just donated 50 Euros because your actions with Duke touched me deeply. Thank you for having the compassion to spend your time and resources to help him.
Bond, thank you so very much. We are very grateful for your support x
I am so happy Duke was adopted by such a caring, loving person…. this story has had such an emotional effect on me, we have all adopted him in our hearts forever, I wish I could dog sit for him!
A lovely story of a beautiful dog, how awful of his first owners to do what they did. Hopefully Karma will catch up with them.
Where are you in Bulgaria? Possibly Sofia?
No, we’re in the South in Rudozem 😃
Thank you so much for saving this beautiful soul! His dear face speaks volumes!
I loved your story about Duke. When I lived in Gilbert, Arizona I worked for about a year for Friends For Life. I now live in Hawaii and there are only 2 Humane Societys and maybe 2 sanctuaries here. A dogs life here is terrible. Either they are chained up on short chains or in cages they have outgrown. They sit in their excrement for who knows how long. The Humane Society is short staffed and the island is huge. I was once told when I made a comment about how I saw dogs treated that people who make complaints about how the animals are treated by their owners may find their own pets gone or slaughtered. I wish we had a ASPCA here or more pet lovers activists here. Dogs here are for hunting or fighting! I keep looking at the Humane Societys for a companion for my dog but haven’t found one that never tires of playing and plays rough. Once I am firmly settled here I will try to find a job in one of the sanctuaries or the Humane Societys. Please keep up the good work. May God Bless You All For Your Time & Effort. There is a passage in the Bible that states that “God is concerned for mankind and animals!”
Thank you for your kind words. Good luck in your endeavours x
Beautiful message of love, hope and faith….God Bless you all!
What wonderful people you are! God bless you for saving this dog and so many others — you are heroes, as is Diana, his forever Mom.
Great Story, Very Happy for you “Mr. Dukes” Be Good.
I wish I had a big farm to keep many animals in need of help.
What an amazing organization. You people are true heroes! I shared Duke’s story on my FB page and will get the word out to everyone about your wonderful organization! Thank you for rescuing Duke and all those like him who need your help[. You are true Guardian Angels for these animals.
Thank you for your kind words xx
Hi, I’ve just donated because I’m deeply moved by Duke’s story. Thank you for your work with street dogs. My own dog is a rescue street dog from Cyprus and she’s the best thing I’ve ever done. Just wanted to make people in the UK aware that donating to you, because you are a registered charity in the EU, means they can declare the full donation on their tax return – this has tax benefits for anyone who does a self assessment return as it raises the level at which you have to start paying tax. I wish more people knew about this as it would encourage more charitable donations. So its great that you have bothered to formally register as this has encouraged me to donate. Best wishes to you all.
That’s wonderful. Thank you so much x
Were the people who tied him up and left to die ever caught? How can anyone do something like that? There is a place in heaven for all who participated in such a miracle recovery. As for the people who caused this poor animal such pain, they belong in another location, certainly NOT heaven.
Next step a contribution.
Thank you so much!
Thank you for doing such wonderful work on these poor babies! They deserve all the love and help you can give them.
Duke’s wonderful story was inspiring to read about. It gives me hope for the world that people in such diverse places care about the outcome for one such unfortunate puppy. So grateful for all you do to help those who have no voice of their own and are at the mercy of others, kind and unkind. God bless you.
Just wondering if Dukes abusers were ever caught and prosecuted? What evil lurks in the hearts of (some) men…and what unconditional love in the hearts of others. Thank you for your wonderful work from the bottom of mine.
No, we don’t know who did this 😞
You’ve done such an amazing job with duke, What kind of person would hurt a defenseless animal. Hes an amazing and inspiring story and hope that his abusers are caught, Hes a truly amazing dog, you are lucky to have him.
What amazing & kind people you are. I sobbed throughout the story of poor Duke but what a super ending. This dog will have a happy & fulfilling life in the UK thanks to all who helped him. I just cannot understand these people who want to cause such pain & suffering to all the beautiful creatures in the world. We too have a rescue dog who is very dear to us. We love him so much.
Thank you to all at your centre.
I am literally in tears as I finish reading about Duke, your rescue mission and his adoption. As I read more on hour site about the horrible way animals are treated in many other so called “rescue” shelters, I am absolutely sick at heart. If I can figure out a way to donate through Pay Pal, I will. Thank you for your work in your country, and God bless you. I would also suggest to others recommending your site for reading, that they should NOT go through “Virilnova” site, where I accidently found Duke’s story, then later followed suggestions to go to your own site. I was terribly frustrated by a tedious, ad-filled scenario of photos and one-liners. I almost gave up. I finally reached your site through streetdogrescue.wordpress.com. I plan to donate, if I can figure out how to sign up and go through Pay Pal.
That’s extremely kind, Carol. You may find it easier going through our website link http://streetdogrescue.com/donatehelp.htm or you could donate to our renovations fundraiser with a bank card https://www.youcaring.com/rudozem-street-dog-rescue-589739. Thank you!
The creeps who abandoned this poor animal after they delivered him an forgivable cruelty, will never have peace!
I once rescued a large marmalade cat and rehabilitated him. He was later chosen as the favorite cat, THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE, in the largest domestic cat show in North America. Then, everyone wanted him ! We were inseparable, and I still mourn his loss, many years later.
How wonderful that you found each other 😘
Amazing story! Thank you for all the wonderful work you do
This story moved me so much and the vets who treated poor Duke.
My heart broke and my soul cried out in pain for these poor mistreated animals. I’m amazed at the wonderful, kind, and loving, caring work you do for Gods beautiful creatures. The good Lord has prepared a special place for all of you, with Him, in heaven some day!
There is still much to do, so many to save. And, He has blessed you, and is with you every step of the way…….Thank you for your love and kindness you show His creatures.
WHAT A SAD AND WONDERFUL STORY ABOUT DUKE. SO MUCH LOVE FROM SO MANY PEOPLE. I NEVER COULD UNDERSTAND WHY UNHUME PEOPLE CAN DO SUCH AWFUL THINGS TO ANIMALS THAT HAVE SO MUCH LOVE TO GIVE. I HOPE THE GOOD LORD WILL LET DUKE HAVE A LONG AND HAPPY LIFE. MAY HE BLESS EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU WHO CARED SO MUCH FOR THIS PUP AND HUNDREDS OF MORE JUST LIKE DUKE. I’M A PET LOVER AND ITS VERY SAD TO SEE WHAT AWFUL PEOPLE DO TO THESE LOVING ANIMALS. THEY WILL PAY A PRICE ONE DAY IN THERE LIVES.
SINCERELY, MARCIA.
Thanks for your kind words, Marcia.
The entire time I was reading Duke’s story, I could feel my heart pounding. I found it quite awesome that after all the cruelty Duke was given by humans that he was not afraid of other humans. Duke just wanted to be loved. I thank you with all my heart for taking such great care of Duke and providing everything that was needed for him. I thank Duke’s new owner for adopting him, loving him, and sending updated pictures. I pray the two of them have a very long, loving, happy life together! Duke is beautiful both inside and out, as is everyone who had anything to do with bringing him back to life!
I, myself, have two rescue dogs and love them to death. I have had ne for 10 years and the other for 8 years. They were gifts from God, just like my children are!
Shame on Duke’s owners for inflicting such pain on such a defenseless animal. Someone out there knows Duke’s original owners and are not saying anything, shame on them too. I hope karma finds these people and slaps them in the face but good!
As soon as I have extra money, you will be seeing a donation coming your way!
Thanks for kind words, Kelly x
You are wonderful and loving people for all that you do for these animals. You are always in my prayers and thoughts. The world needs more people like you for these loving creatures that just want love and care. What you get back is worth it thousands of times over! God Bless you and all that you help…. Gary
Thanks for your kind words, Gary.
Hi, Is Paypal the only way to send you donations? I would like to contribute to this wonderful cause. Sincerely, Gary A. Engberg
Hi Gary, that’s really kind. You can also make a bank transfer or donate with a card to one of our fundraisers. Click here to find out more http://streetdogrescue.com/donatehelp.htm thank you!
Thank you for all you do to rescue dogs from certain death. The story about Duke is gut wrenching and what a happy ending. People like you are the finest folks on the planet and are so appreciated. Thank you, thank you, thank you !!!!
This is a amazing story and I just wanted to tell you thank you so much for helping abused and neglected animals. This is a truly wonderful thing you guys have done and gave this dog another chance at a happy life and a loving home. Duke looks so happy and he deserves that. God bless Diana and her loving heart for taking in Duke. You guys do great work and thank you so much – all the way from Staten Island, New York. We need more people like you guys in this world. I hope the renovations are going great because it looks like you guys have some room for dogs to run around and play.
I love this story!!! I simply love this story! I am so happy that Duke found happiness after such brutal torture as cannot even be imagined.
BILLY,
THERE ARE VERY MANY EVIL PEOPLE IN THE WORLD WHEN IT COMES TO ANIMALS. THEY CAN ONLY BE THANKFUL THAT THERE ARE MANY GOOD PEOPLE WHO LOVE THERE ANIMALS AND THAT CALL THEM THERE FAMILY. I MYSELF HAVE TAKEN TWO DOGS WHO CAME FROM EVIL HOMES. I RAISED THEM AND LOVED THEM UNTIL THEY LEFT ME MANY YEARS LATER WHEN THEY GOT THERE ANGEL WINGS AND WENT TO HEAVEN. WHEN THEY LEFT I NEW THEY PASSED ON HAPPY KNOWING THEY WERE LOVED BY ME. I THANK THE GOOD LORD THAT THERE ARE MANY OF US GOOD PEOPLE TO TAKE CARE OF IS FRIENDS.
DUKE KEEP SMILING BECAUSE YOU NEVER HAVE TO BE AFRAID AGAIN.
WITH MUCH THANKS TO ALL THE KIND GOOD BROTHERS AND SISTERS OUT THERE LIKE US.
Duke’s amazing soul and wonderful nature in the face of such brutality should make us wonder who the real animals are — i.e. his torturers!!!
I do not often speak harsh words of other people, but I hope it is okay to take exception in this particular case to say that the treatment bestowed on Duke was truly sickening. My only comfort lies in seeing the equally commensurate outpouring of love given to him when he was finally rescued. Please, Duke, know that we people are not all cut from such a brutal cloth! Most of us are good, and nothing like the monsters whom you encountered!
Thank you so much for your dedication passion and love that you show and do for our beautiful doggies. You can see when they are first rescued the fear and loveless void in their beautiful eyes; only to be reversed, when they are rescued! Giving them love, hope and medical attention. I just found your site and surely will be keeping updated and also donating.
Duke and thousands of other animals deserve to be respected and treated with love care and attention. You yourselves deserve all the help and of course a medal!
Thank you for all you do. I had to donate after reading about Duke’s journey. I’m glad there are still good people in this world. Cheers from Los Angeles.