Last week, workers from a London-based charity set about an incredible midnight rescue mission to free poor Raju from his prison.

READ: TEENAGE LION HUNTER'S DAD SAYS SHE'S A 'HUMANITARIAN'

Workers from charity Wildlife SOS claim that when they got to Raju and set about rescuing him from the torture, there were tears rolling down his face.

What’s maybe even more incredible is that Raju was rescued a minute into American Independence Day.

READ: LOVE ANIMALS? HERE'S THE BEST CRUELTY-FREE BEAUTY PRODUCTS

A spokesperson for the charity said: “Raju has spent the past 50 years living a pitiful existence in chains 24 hours a day, an act of intolerable cruelty.

“My team were astounded to see tears roll down his face during the rescue. It was so incredible emotional for all of us. We knew in our hearts he realised he was being freed.”

VIDEO: WATCH THIS RESCUE DOG'S AMAZING TRANSFORMATION

It just goes to show that even animals are grateful when they are given help in their time of need.

We hope that the charity managed to place Raju somewhere he will be happy now.

Watch the emotional clip and let us know your thoughts via the comments box and at @closeronline