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| As Cold Weather Blows In - So Blow the Winds of Chain-ge |
Dogs Deserve Better
E-News 11/06/07 |
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Dear Tammy,
 Tens
of thousands of "backyard dogs" are facing another winter with nothing
but a leaky doghouse, frozen water, no exercise, no companionship, and
agonizing days of nights of cold. Perpetually chained dogs often become
neurotic or aggressive from their constant confinement, often posing a
danger to people.
Although
the practice of 24/7 chaining is pervasive in many parts of the
country, especially in rural areas, states and cities have, in recent
years, started to pass laws against the practice. California passed a
law in 2006 and Texas followed suit this year. Pennsylvania, New
Jersey, and South Carolina are among the states currently considering
laws that would put reasonable limits on how long a dog may be chained
outdoors. Hundreds of cities have passed, or are considering, similar
legislation.
Tammy
Grimes, Founder of Dogs Deserve Better asserts, "We encourage people to
remember that although it can be hard to take a stand on behalf of
neighbor's dog, a concerned neighbor can quite often make the
difference between life and death for these animals."
You
too can make a difference in the life of backyard dogs in your own
neighborhood and across the country. Now is the time to take a stand,
before it is too late.
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Winds of Chain-ge
Four More Communities Fight to Break the Chain.
IRVING, TEXAS - Passed!
The
Irving City Council unanimously approved an ordinance to ban tethering
unattended dogs any time, any place. The new city law is believed to be
the first of its kind in North Texas. Irving's ordinance goes beyond a
state law that went into effect in September that limits the time dog
owners can tether their pets to between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Read article.
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA - Passed!
The
Richmond SPCA, Animal Control and City Council, along with help from
Dogs Deserve Better Representatives came through for Richmond chained
dogs as they passed a new City ordinance that will prohibit dogs in the
city from being chained or tethered for more than one hour,
cumulatively, within any 24 hour period. The ordinance had vast public
support with almost 20 people urging its passage and at least as many
attending in favor of the law. Read article.
TERRE HAUTE, INDIANA - Passed!
Terre
Haute City Council members received a standing ovation for approving a
law change outlining the ways an animal can be tethered. Read article.
ATHENS, GEORGIA - Vote 11/6/07!
ACO Pleads for Council to Break the Chain.
"I don't think people understand how bad it really is," Athens-Clarke
Animal Control Supervisor Christy Champagne said. "These neglect cases
get bad really quickly. It's too easy to forget about them once they're
chained up out there." Read article.
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Success Story
Breaking Buster's Chain
Kelly Pickard, Groves City, Texas DDB Rep was contacted by her mail carrier about a chained dog on her route.
"This dog was padlocked on a log type chain and was not being given food or water" Kelly stated.
The
dog, Buster, was surrendered to Kelly, but the husband would not let
her cut their precious padlock! Eventually he showed up with the key,
to free Buster. Fortunately Buster did not have much damage to his neck
and is happy in a foster home in Houston! Read full story.
Buster is looking for his forever home - If you would to adopt sweet Buster, please email: Kelly Pickard at Gracie192@aol.com |
Featured Adoptable
Meet Zeke!
Zeke
is a 6-7 year old Black Lab who spent the first 5 years of his life on
a chain in Tennessee. His "family" then tired of him and took him to a
kill shelter. Zeke was adopted briefly and returned due to no fault of
his own. He now resides outside once again at a boarding facility near to the shelter.
Can you help this sweet boy find a home?
Here is what the shelter staff has to say about Zeke:
Zeke has a gentle, laid-back, very good-natured personality.
He walks well on a leash and is great with people of all ages. Zeke is especially devoted to children.
He gets along well with female dogs, but is a little dominant (not aggressive) with other males.
Zeke has had some basic obedience training and knows
how to sit on command. He is a playful and energetic companion. Zeke
loves hugs! Zeke will be a wonderful family dog! Please give him a
chance.
If you have the love in your heart and room in your home for Zeke, please contact: Karen: WCACAngels@yahoo.com | |
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Heads Up PA - Dogs Deserve Better Needs YOUR help!
 Pennsylvania residents, we need pictures of dogs that are chained or penned most/all of the time, not those that are out for a few hours during the day.
*All pictures should be taken from public property. Do not go on anyone's property to obtain a photo.
*Do
not include house numbers in the photo or other items that would
identify the address. (OK to send us the actual address so we can
send a letter!)
*Please include the city, county and state where the dog is located.
Not in PA?
Dogs
Deserve Better will accept pictures of chained/penned dogs in other
areas; same rules apply, to be used as a resource for legislation. All
other states outside of Pennsylvania please send pictures and
information to dawn@dogsdeservebetter.org.
Please Support PA HB 1065! Comb your PA communities and send us pictures of chained/penned dogs!
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Doogie Trial - Latest Update
Tammy Sneath Grimes, Founder of Dogs Deserve Better, is still awaiting jury trial for rescuing Doogie, a dog lying on the ground unable to move for days on September 11, 2006.
11/5/07
Most of Judge Elizabeth A. Doyle's decision is noncommittal, saying she
will reserve the motion to preclude expert testimony and the motion to
preclude defense videotape until time of trial. She granted the motion
to preclude the defense of justification. She states that Grimes
did not meet 'rescue etiquette', such as:
1. Attempting to negotiate with the owner (who was not home and thereby not available to negotiate with).
2. Offer to buy the dog from the owner (again, not home to make such an offer)
3.
Call the local authorities (Hmmm, didn't Mrs. Eicher already DO that
for three straight days? Wasn't Grimes her last hope to save the dog's
life?) Read more.
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From The Mailbag
Sweet Gypsy Girl
When Tiffany Warren in Louisiana went to investigate
dogs living at an abandoned house, she was horrified by what she found
- two dogs in fences and on chains. Gypsy, Catahoula, was
confined in a chain link fence and tethered by a 20-foot chain. Gypsy had profanity spray painted on her body,
hair missing and begging for love and attention. "I went to check on
her and she had managed to jump over the back of the fence and was
stuck with barely enough chain. It scared me and made me mad all at the
same time."
Adopt Gypsy
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| Update on Tuff
When a mother dog was shot and gave birth,
Dogs Deserve Better and our supporters rushed to the rescue with
Illinois Dogs Deserve Better Rep, Heather Willis at the helm.
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4th DDB Sticker Series Now Available Featuring DDB Rescue, Jack!
 Introducing our fourth sticker featuring Jack; an AKC registered Saint Bernard, who lived chained to a tree, no shelter, and no food.
DDB Illinois Rep Dawn Ashby left a note with a brochure
on Jack's owner's door. The caretaker later called Dawn and said she
could have Jack. When Dawn went to have her sign the surrender
form, she began crying saying, I know, I read the brochure, Jack DOES deserve better.
Jack was adopted by a wonderful family in Wisconsin. He will live the rest of his life happily inside his forever home.
The
emptiness in his eyes, the chain suspended from the tree falling across
Jack's solemn face creates an image of the drained spirit of the
chained dog. Everyone reads stickers, its human nature. You may
actually free a dog from its chains or pen just by
putting Jack's face on a piece of mail!
Taking such a small step could make a very large difference in a dog's life. Order your mailing stickers today, for the back of holiday cards,
bills, whatever you mail! You just may save a dog from spending
another icy cold holiday season alone! Stickers are 2" x 2.25"
prices range from 10 for $2.50 (plus $.75 S&H) to 100 for $20.00
(plus $3.50 S&H).
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Know an animal rescue angel you'd like to thank this season?
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| Order Your 2008 Dogs Deserve Better Today!
Welcome to our Third Annual Dogs Deserve Better Calendar,
which gets rave reviews by everyone who buys or reads it. The calendar
is full color throughout, and features stories of 28 rescued dogs, each
different, each heart-warming, each happy-ending.
Buy your DDB Calendar today!
100% of proceeds benefit our rescue efforts. |
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Our movement is growing, expanding, making HUGE strides, thanks to your help. Please stick with us, we really CAN change the world for chained and penned dogs.
Sincerely,
Dawn Ashby, Rescue & Public Liaison dawn@dogsdeservebetter.org
Tammy S. Grimes, Founder, Dogs Deserve Better
1.877.636.1408 · http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org
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