Dogs Should Not Be Chained

Opinion

Posted May 3, 2011
article

We were sickened to read about the eight-year-old who was attacked by the chained dogs on Wilson Street. It is because of incidences like this that we volunteer with Dogs Deserve Better and Parents Against Dog Chaining; two groups that are working to get dogs off of chains and out of pens and into the family. Absolutely no dog, regardless of breed or size, deserves to live its life on a chain or in a pen.

Dogs that are kept chained are more likely to have one of two things happen: 1. either the dog is neglected in some way like lack of clean water, food, vet care, proper shelter from the elements, and little to no contact, exercise, or affection, that causes the dog to become pitiful and lonely, sick, emaciated, or possibly die, or,

2. because they are isolated on the chain and usually not socialized properly, they become very aggressive and territorial with a lot of built up energy; they have no way to escape if they feel threatened. Therefore, they bite, attack or kill anything or anyone that might come near their small, chained world, or they break loose from the chain and bite or attack the first person (usually a child) or animal they see.

Dogs are pack animals; they just want to be with their pack. Their pack is their human family. If you won't let your dog be inside with you where he truly wants to be, then at least give him a fenced backyard to have a little freedom, expend some energy, and protect innocent children.

If your dog is an escape artist and would get out of the fence, then keep him inside with you; and if you don't want him inside because he is too dangerous or rowdy, then he sure shouldn't be outside to pose a danger to neighbors for goodness sake.

Properly and responsibly caring for a dog requires time, energy, effort, desire, and money (for vet care, heartworm pills, flea control, food, collar, leash, etc); if you don't have these things, then a dog is probably not the best pet for you.

If you keep your dog chained or penned, or know someone who does, we can possibly help you or them give the dog, man's best friend, the life he/she deserves, while hopefully helping to protect children. Please remember that Dogs Deserve Better than life on a chain or in a pen and Parents Against Dog Chaining: Protect Our Children...Socialize Your Dog.

Beth Greeson and Tamira Ci Thayne, founder of Dogs Deserve Better and Parents Against Dog Chaining

I want to help DDB with financial support.