On August 23rd, a tiny German Shepherd puppy was discovered on a road in York County, Pennsylvania. This poor pup, barely remaining to live, could break the hearts of anyone who sees him. He had been brutally beaten, suffering multiple fractures and serious malnourishment.
Officer Matthew Tamanosky, a member of the York City Police Department, was the first responder at the scene and did everything he could to save Chance’s life. He was deeply affected by the distressing situation, stating that “Seeing how a terrible human being could just beat a poor, four or five-month-old little animal, leave him there to die, unconscious, lying on the ground—it’s just something that strikes a chord with you.”
In need of emergency medical attention, the pup was rushed to the Mason Dixon Animal Emergency Hospital. Nevertheless, he displayed incredible resilience and made a remarkable recovery.
Lindsay Copenhaver, a compassionate vet tech, shared, “We were all very heartbroken, of course, when we saw and heard what was going on, and we all went into his cage and tried to give him as much love as possible.”
In honor of his newfound lease on life, the veterinarians gave this fighter a perfect name: “Chance.” It was a symbol of the second opportunity he’d been given. Although the case was investigated by the police, the person responsible for this cruel act remained a mystery.
Following his initial recovery, Chance was transferred to the York County SPCA, where his journey towards healing continued. Updates from the shelter on Facebook revealed encouraging progress, with the hope that time would diminish the lasting effects of the trauma he had endured.
News of Chance’s story spread like wildfire throughout the community, resulting in an outpouring of support. The shelter received hundreds of adoption applications from people eager to provide him with a loving home.
Among the hopeful applicants, one name stood out: Officer Tamanosky. It was the same hero who had saved Chance weeks earlier and now wishes to offer him a forever home.
Steven Martinez, the executive director of the York County SPCA, shared, “He was the one who got Chance out of that situation, and we operate on a first-come, first-served basis when it comes to adoption—he was the first one on the scene, so clearly Chance should be going home with him.”
Today, Chance is settling into his new home, filled with love and playfulness. As Martinez happily noted, “Chance couldn’t be happier. He loves his toys, he loves to play, and now he is just a normal 6-month-old German Shepherd puppy.”
This heartwarming story reminds us that even in the face of cruelty, resilience, compassion, and the power of a community can bring about a brighter tomorrow. We applaud Officer Tamanosky for giving Chance the loving home he so rightfully deserves. Please share this story of hope and healing!
