The heartwarming moment a dog who spent 15 YEARS tied to a kennel outside is set free for the first time

An elderly dog is finally free after he spent 15 years chained up to his house in his owner's backyard.

Bear had to carry his heavy chain, survive harsh winters outside and received little care from his owner.

But he will no longer be tied to his doghouse after a local animal rescue group freed him, as this heartwarming video shows.

His owner, who has neither been named nor charged with animal cruelty, finally agreed to let him go.

Guardians of Rescue president Robert Misseri said: 'We knew that we had to do something to make a difference in that dog's life.' 

Bear was taken straight to the spa for grooming and has been to dog parks and even an indoor pool.

Despite being a Long Island dog, Bear had never been to the beach. But his carers at the group sought to remedy that. 

He has also taken to sitting in front of fireplaces for hours on end. 

The group is now searching for a permanent home for Bear - one that is comforting, warm, and filled with the love and attention that had been absent throughout his entire life up until this point.

Source: www.dailymail.co.uk