Chain
Off 2009
Freedom for Chained Dogs the World Over
Huntington, West Virginia
June 28, 2009
We did not get many donations at the event (did not even reach $100.00 yet), but we recieved alot of media
coverage, and we have more coming in way of radio next week. We have also been
gaining support for a proposed ordinance in the city and this has helped to
bring even more attention to the issue. We may also have a small concert put on
at the park in the near future to help raise more awareness and funds, I will
keep you updated!!! And what really helped get us coverage is our very own
Council woman at large Rebecca Thacker joined us for the event and chained
herself to a tree!!!
Capri Holderby - DDB West Virginia Area Representative
Demonstration Features People 'Chained' Like Dogs
www,wowktv.com
Posted Sunday, June 28, 2009 ; 04:02 PM
Story by Jeff Pullin
link to article
Link to video stream page if player does not show in your browser
The demonstration was in support of a proposed ordinance
banning the tethering of pets in inclement weather.
HUNTINGTON -- It has become a controversial topic in the the City of Huntington.
And when it comes to tethering dogs, one groups says enough is enough.
A group of concerned citizens chained themselves to posts and trees in Ritter Park Sunday afternoon.
The demonstration was in support of a proposed ordinance banning the tethering of pets in inclement weather.
The ordinance has had some difficult time getting through city council. The dog tethering ordinance narrowly passed first reading during the previous council meeting.
It will be discussed again in the first meeting in July.
Protestors of Dog Tethering
Chain Up to Raise Awareness
www.wchstv.com
Reported by: Bryant Somerville
Videographer: Bryant Somerville
Web Producer: Bryant Somerville
Updated: June 28, 2009 11:07pm
link to article
and video
HUNTINGTON -- "I feel I can be a more effective advocate by putting myself in the dog's place, if even for several hours," Capri Holderby said.
Holderby is against dog tethering, and to help prove her point, she and others Sunday afternoon...tethered themselves in Ritter Park.
It's a heated issue and one that's recently found itself infront of city council.
"I'm saying don't chain the dog, don't punish the dog if you can't take care of it," Councilwoman Rebecca Thacker said.
Thacker also took part, chaining herself to a tree. She supports the new ordinance, but says it's not enough.
"The ordinance is in trouble because it's not anything close to what we want," Jacqueline Muth said.
If passed, the ordinance states dogs cannot be pinned, or chained up for more than 10 hours outside in weather below 35 degrees or above 85 degrees.
But both Muth and Thacker say even if it passes, it's going to be very difficult to enforce, but they both say they don't plan on giving up on this cause.
"I am determined that these animals are going to be spared the horrible lives they live in," Muth said.
"If I'm able to convince one person, urge one person to remove their dog from their chain, then I feel, yes, I've made a difference,"
Holderby said. City council is expected to vote on the issue in the coming weeks.
Animal Rights Activists Chain Themselves
To Trees At Ritter Park
www.wsaz.com
Posted: 4:52 PM Jun 28, 2009
Last Updated: 4:52 PM Jun 28, 2009
Reporter: Amanda Goodman
Email Address: amanda.goodman@wsaz.com
link to article
HUNTINGTON --HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ)-Local animal rights activists are trying to bring attention to a proposed dog tethering ordinance by chaining themselves to trees at Ritter Park.
The group says the idea is to show how unforgiving the elements can be to a dog that lives on a chain.
This chain-off event is part of a national effort by "Dogs Deserve Better," a non-profit organization.
Huntington councilwoman at large Rebecca Thacker took part in the chaining event Sunday.
These activists handed out literature and asked people to sign a petition against the current city ordinance that is making its way through city council. The group says the ordinance doesn't go far enough.
Jacqueline Muth is one of the people speaking out against the ordinance,"It says you can chain your dogs for 10 hours they don't even specify if its consecutive hours or if it is two on two off. It's totally impossible to be enforced.. And what we want is a ban on permanent chaining."
The activists chained themselves up to trees at Ritter Park for more than 8 hours Sunday.
'Chain-Off' protests dog tetherings
www.wsaz.com
Mark Webb/The Herald-Dispatch
June 29, 2009 @ 12:00 AM
BRYAN CHAMBERS
The Herald-Dispatch
link to article
HUNTINGTON -- A small group of animal-rights activists who chained themselves to trees and a dog house for eight hours gained some supporters, angered others and received a few strange looks from walkers and joggers Sunday at Ritter Park.
The purpose of the "Chain-Off" was to raise awareness about their opposition to tethering dogs and encourage Huntington City Council members to strengthen an ordinance that, in its current form, would place restrictions on the practice.
"We want an outright ban against tethering, unless it's for a short period of time and someone is attending to the dog," Huntington resident Jacqueline Muth said. "The proposed ordinance isn't specific enough. Quite frankly, it's not worth the paper it's printed on."
The ordinance, which City Council is expected to vote on July 13, limits tethering to no more than 10 hours a day. It would be prohibited entirely if the temperature climbs above 85 degrees or falls below 35. Officials with the Huntington-Cabell-Wayne Animal Shelter have said it would be difficult, if not impossible, to enforce.
Muth and others at Sunday's rally agreed and said that's one of the reasons why they support a tethering ban.
"A lot of the dogs I've seen in my neighborhood have chains that aren't long enough, and a lot of times, they don't have any water," said City Councilwoman Rebeccah Thacker, who chained herself to a tree at the rally. "I'm an animal lover, and I just feel like chaining a dog is a form of abuse."
Not everyone agreed with the group. Kenova resident Sheridan Lane said he drove to Ritter Park so he could tell group members he disagrees with their stance. Lane, a former dog owner, said he never tethered his pet and doesn't believe they should be chained for long periods of time.
But prohibiting it entirely would dissuade some people from adopting pets that need homes, he said.
"If you're saying you have to keep your dogs inside, then maybe you should keep an elephant in your house," Lane yelled at the group. "What about the squirrels running around in the park? Or cows?"
Animal Rights Activists Chain Themselves
to Trees Counsilwoman Rebecca Thacker Joins Them
www.huntingtonnews.net
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
June 29, 2009
link to article
HUNTINGTON, WV (HNN) -- Marshall University’s Vegan and Vegetarian Life Society joined Dogs Deserve Better representatives in observing the seventh annual “Chain Off” demonstration to raise awareness of the suffering of dogs that spend most of their lives chained 24/7 to an object.
One of the most ardent and dedicated supporters of the “Chain Off” was City Councilwoman, Rebecca Thacker, who ”wheeled all the way down and all the way back” from her Westmoreland home (and back) to the 8th Street location in Ritter Park. “That’s five miles each way. I started out with a full charge of ten lights, now it’s down to four.”
At-large member Thacker added that she is “devoted” to her job , adding she feels strong compassion for children, the elderly, and animals. “I represent all the animals of Huntington, too.”
After having been chained to the tree in the park, she said , “it got warm,” adding her thoughts remained with the animals which she symbolically represented.
Reacting to the tethering ordinance pending before council, Ms. Thacker said that a smaller animal, such as a Chihuahua, cannot withstand the same heat or cold as larger animals. “You take Teacup Poodles, they would not last ten hours in the heat and cold. It would die. They need to use their own judgment on what an animal can withstand.”
Thacker stated “I am almost positive that I will not vote” for the tethering ordinance if it contains the ten-hour rule. It’s unreasonable, unenforceable, and a waste of time.”
Asked about what changes are, in her opinion, needed, she suggested a three or four hour limit for smaller animals. “Different breeds are different,” she explained, such as those which have heavy fur coats.
City Attorney Scott McClure had told HNN after the meeting that on second reading the option to send back to committee, table, withdraw, or vote would all be available.
Thacker expressed “oh it can” surprise when told that another vote to send back to the committee would be an option. “I asked that question and nobody ever got back to me,” she said.
“I’d like to be on that committee,” she said.
Aside from the shifting time limitations, the ordinance forbids tying with a chain requiring cables and harnesses, which prevent use of choker collars. “They could have a three month old puppy, but some dogs grow majorly after they are three months old.” A collar should be adjusted as the animals grows as there have been animal abuse cases where the device holding the animal forms deep imprints on the dog’s skin.
“My dogs will not be on collars, much less on a chain. I have a fenced in yard. If I don’t have them in the yard, I ride them on my lap or the pet stroller,” Thacker explained. “I’m for a total ban [on tethering].”
One of her frustrations came at the earlier work session, speaking of existing laws and animal abuse accusations. A statement by Animal Control Director Anita Asbury that one person had charges dismissed by a judge who knew him incited the councilwoman, particularly since more than a swearing match of two persons was available for testimony, including an expert.
At the session, Thacker asked Ms. Asbury a hypothetical question in which a person was convicted of the criminal act and had their animal seized: “Do you keep the records of whether I abused this animal?” Asbury said yes. Thacker queried whether a convicted animal abuser six months later could walk into the Cabell-Wayne Animal Control and adopt another animal.
Asbury deferred that the records are on paper and , in the words of Thacker, suggested it would be “too much work” to background check for previous animal abuse convictions.
“My personal opinion” of the animal control shelter is “They don’t care. All they want is fines and money, then kill the animals,” Thacker reiterated, adding , “it’s a slaughterhouse.”
