‘Clint Eastwood’ looking for a home

He’s a little on the retiring side, but tough — just like his namesake.

He spent the earliest part of his life chained to a tree near a mobile home.

Eventually, the chain grew into his neck, and had to be surgically removed.

And now, “Clint Eastwood” needs a home.

Clint has until Thursday to find this home, or it may be too late to save his life.

Recently taken in by Beaufort County Animal Control, Clint was given his name in homage to Eastwood’s scarred-but-resilient character in the movie “Hang ’Em High.”

The roughly 10-month-old pup was left behind when his owner moved away, said Billy Lassiter, animal-control officer.

The former owner wasn’t prosecuted because he left town and the animal-control department has limited resources, Lassiter related.

“The only thing he’s ever known is maybe a 2 to 3 foot of chain,” Lassiter said of the dog.

Dana Eddings, a veterinarian at Pamlico Animal Hospital just east of Washington, removed the chain.

Clint spent a week at the hospital before being returned to the shelter.

The 33-pound fellow bears a surgical scar around his neck, but he’s healing nicely.

And he wears a harness, not a leash.

“I don’t ever want him to have anything around his neck again,” Lassiter said.

Clint may be adopted for a fee of $55. The fee includes his first set of shots, dewormer and neutering.

An additional fee of $15 covers a rabies vaccination at the veterinarian’s office.

Animal-control officials hope Clint can be saved, given all he’s been through.

“We’re going to make sure it’s a suitable home for him,” said Lassiter, who acknowledged this case tugged at his heart.

Clint may be seen at the Betsy Bailey Nelson Animal Control Facility off U.S. Highway 264 east of Washington.

The shelter is open to the public from 1 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Saturdays.

For more information, call the shelter at 252-946-4517.