Helping Chained Dogs

http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_Chaining.php

Contents:
* The Effects of Chaining and Tethering Dogs Outside
* What You Can Do to Help a Chained or Tethered Dog
* Other Important Resources and Links

Animal lovers can make a difference for the voiceless dogs who lead a
lonely, painful, frightening life trapped at the end of a chain or
other kind of tether. Tied to a post, stake, fence or doghouse
outside, these poor dogs suffer extreme heat, cold, rain, snow storms
and abject loneliness.

This tipsheet covers the dangers of tethering dogs for long periods,
along with ways to discourage people from chaining their dogs and how
to improve legal protection for dogs.

The Effects of Chaining and Tethering Dogs Outside:

Tethering dogs outside for long periods leads to substantial
behavioral and health problems, in addition to subjecting the dogs to
suffering and psychological damage. Dogs are, by nature, social
animals. They were domesticated by humans for companionship. Even a
friendly and gentle dog can be transformed into an anxious, troubled
and aggressive animal when constantly chained.

As documented by the U. S. Department of Agriculture, "Our experience
in enforcing the Animal Welfare Act has led us to conclude that
continuous confinement of dogs by a tether is inhumane. A tether
significantly restricts a dog's movement. A tether can also become
tangled around or hooked on the dog's shelter structure or other
objects, further restricting the dog's movement and potentially
causing injury."

Specific problems associated with tethering dogs for long periods:

* Hyperactivity, fear biting and aggression are common problems
displayed by chained dogs. By nature, a dog wants to interact with
the people and animals beyond his reach. Yet by trying to engage in
the normal, natural acts of running or sniffing or checking out a
passerby, the confused dog gets jerked back, building frustration and
anxiety. Chaining limits interaction with people to frustration,
teasing and mistreatment. The dog associates the frustration and pain
with the object he was lunging at.

* Research from the Centers for Disease Control shows that dogs who
are tied out for long periods are several times more likely to
display aggression and attack people. Young children have been
seriously injured when walking up to a frustrated or startled dog
trapped on a chain. A fearful dog trapped on a chain cannot flee from
an approaching human, so he might attack if he perceives a threat to
his body or territory. A study in the Journal of the American
Veterinary Medical Association reported that 17% of dogs involved in
fatal attacks on humans between 1979 and 1998 were restrained on
their owners' property at the time of the attack. In addition, a
frustrated dog who breaks loose from a chain may chase and even
attack someone in his path.

* Health problems run the gamut from skin and ear damage from fly
bites to parasites to severe neck gashes from collars being
constantly yanked. Some dogs are seriously and even fatally wounded
from collars becoming embedded in their necks upon outgrowing the
neck restraint.

* A tethered dog is an easy target for other animals, insects and
humans who tease, taunt, throw rocks at and otherwise torment and
injure the dog. Some people even steal chained dogs for illicit and
inhumane purposes.

* The chain or tie-out can become entangled with other objects,
leading to neck injury and strangulation.

* Tying dogs outside is no solution to obedience training and
housebreaking. A dog will never be housetrained if his owners don't
teach him. Instead, the dog will become used to relieving himself
where he eats, rests, sleeps and plays, so he cannot abide by the
canine instinct to eliminate away from his personal living space.
Furthermore, the dog cannot escape the flies attracted to his feces,
so he could be ravaged by biting insects as well as parasites.

"A chained dog's life is a lonely, frustrating, miserable existence,
without opportunities for even the most basic dog behaviors of
running and sniffing in their own fenced yard. Dogs chained for even
a few weeks begin to show problems," states Jean Johnson in the
article, Chaining: Cruel, Unnecessary, and Too Often
Overlooked. "Chaining keeps a dog in solitary confinement,
continually thwarting its pack instinct to be with other animals or
with its human pack."

What You Can Do to Help a Chained or Tethered Dog:

The following includes information from www.HelpingAnimals.com, the
American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA),
www.DogsDeserveBetter.com and the April 2001 Healthy Planet
article "The Violence Link" by Brenda Schoss.

1. Educate the owner.

Often, people learn cruel and neglectful behavior from parents or
neighbors, and we can break the cycle of ignorance. In a non-
confrontational way, let the person know specifically what the
problems are and better alternatives. You can give the neighbor
helpful dog care tips on websites, including:

Chaining alternatives brochure
http://www.helpinganimals.com/angel-bydpack.html

Benefits of keeping dogs and other pets indoors tipsheet
http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_Indoor.html

Educational information in English and Spanish
http://www.DogsDeserveBetter.com

Details about the effects of chaining
http://www.hsus.org/ace/11865

Explain that a better alternative to chaining is to keep dogs as
indoor animals, and that this will result in a healthier, better
behaved, better socialized and trustworthy companion. Encourage the
owner to teach the dog good house manners. Until a dog can be trusted
in a larger area of the home, the owner can confine the dog to a
puppy-proofed room. Using a crate in the process of housetraining is
also effective, but behaviorists advise not to crate a dog day after
day for more than 6 hours a day. The crate is a tool for use during
the housetraining process, not a substitute for teaching the dog good
behavior. Teaching good behavior is the responsibility of every dog
owner.

2. Check your local laws.

In most states, causing an animal unnecessary suffering is illegal,
as is beating an animal and depriving him of food. However, the law
usually allows people to keep dogs outdoors if certain conditions are
met, such as providing shelter from rain.

Available at your local library, your state statute and county code
will explain requirements and restrictions pertaining to animal
owners. It is a good idea to make a photocopy to carry with you. You
can also find state anti-cruelty statutes at http://www.lawsource.com
and city statutes at http://www.municode.com.

You can also get facts from the Law Enforcement Training Institute at
the University of Missouri-Columbia. This national program educates
animal cruelty investigators on state statutes, interrogation
methods, rules of evidence, and courtroom testimony. Contact:
National Cruelty Investigations School, Law Enforcement Training
Institute, 321 Hearnes Center Columbia, MO 65211. 800-825-6505.
http://www.missouri.edu/~letiwww/

3. Help the dog directly.

If the dog's owners are not receptive to your suggestions, but the
situation is not illegal, there are still ways you can help the dog.
Offer to take the dog for walks. Say that you had some extra dog
toys, a sturdy water bucket, running line and swivel to prevent
tangling, and rather than throw them out, and that you would like
their dog to have them.

Make sure the dog has shade and water in an anchored bucket or a
heavy bowl. Watch for symptoms of overheating, such as restlessness,
excessive thirst, heavy panting, lethargy, lack of appetite, darkened
tongue, rapid heartbeat, fever, vomiting and lack of coordination. If
the dog displays any of these symptoms, get him to shade immediately
and call a veterinarian. To lower body temperature gradually, provide
water to drink, apply a cold towel or an ice pack to the head, neck
and chest, or immersing the dog in tepid (not cold) water.

Cold weather can lead to frostbite, exposure and dehydration when
water sources freeze. If you cannot convince the owner to take the
dog inside, you might offer to build him or her a warm, durable
doghouse (however, PAW does not advocate use of dog houses). Remind
the owner to increase food during winter since more calories are
being burned to keep warm, and to be sure that animals are free of
internal parasites, which rob them of vital nutrients.

Try to visit the dog regularly. Many dogs have had their whole lives
gradually changed because of patient and friendly intervention. If
you gain custody of the dog, find detailed steps to help you rehome
the dog at http://www.helpinganimals.com/angel-bydpack.html

4. Get help from your local humane society or SPCA.

An investigator from your local humane society or SPCA might be able
to persuade the owner to improve care of the animal. Also, humane
society and SPCA personnel typically can confirm whether and how an
owner might be violating the law.

5. If the uncooperative owner appears to be violating a code or law,
contact your local animal control department.

It is the department's job to take action when any law is being
violated. Know your local and state codes, as discussed in part 2
above. You need to be prepared to educate law enforcers who may not
be totally familiar with anti-cruelty laws. Make clear that you want
action taken and will assist as needed. Be persistent; sometimes it
takes several calls and follow up.

To find a Humane Law Enforcement Agency near you, check your
phonebook or go to http://www.aspca.org/site/FrameSet?style=Animal

If the officers do not cooperate, present your documented case to
their supervisors and, if necessary, to local government officials,
such as the county commissioner, and ask them to act. If you have
witnessed the cruelty, you can go to the police commissioner and
swear out a warrant to summon the accused person to court.

6. Gather and present evidence.

You will want to provide the law enforcement officer and other
parties with a concise, written, factual statement of what you have
observed.

* Gather evidence, including dates and approximate times. Photograph
the situation and date photos. Try to get written statements from
other witnesses. Keep copies of all documentation and photos.

* Keep a record of whom you contact, the contact dates, and the
content and outcome of each discussion. Never give away a letter or
document without making a copy for your file.

* Expert witnesses may be necessary to the case. A veterinarian can
sign a statement that it is his or her "expert opinion" that a dog
suffers if swung by a chain, deprived of food, etc. Expert opinions
often make or break a case.

7. Contact the media.

If more pressure is needed, try to interest local TV and newspaper
reporters in the story. Your documentation of the case will help.
Encourage witnesses to step forward. News stories usually compel
officials to act or prompt the person causing the abuse to stop.

8. Seek help from national specialists in animal abuse litigation.

For example, the nonprofit Animal Legal Defense Fund works to convict
animal abusers with maximum penalties. ALDF's Zero Tolerance For
Cruelty campaign supplies free legal research, amicus curiae briefs,
and expert witnesses for local prosecutors. For help in supporting a
case, contact Animal Legal Defense Fund, 2103 SE Belmont Street,
Portland, OR 97214-2814; 503-231-1602 or 800-555-6517,
http://www.aldf.org

Other contacts include the PETA Domestic Animal Issues and Abuse
Department, 501 Front St., Norfolk, VA 23510, 757-622-7382,
info@PETA.org and the Humane Society of the United States,
http://www.hsus.org/ace/13858

9. Urge local legislators to pass better animal anti-cruelty laws.

Animal welfare legislation pending in your state and how you can help
http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=lobby&AddInterest=1168

Anti-cruelty laws, legislative contact details and related
information http://www.hsus.org/ace/11589
http://www.aldf.org/content.asp?sect=action§ionid=3

Laws, Legislation, Model Legislation, Guidance, Working with
Legislators
http://www.aldf.org/content.asp?sect=action§ionid=3

Sample chaining ordinances
http://www.helpinganimals.com/a-tether.html

To help pass humane laws, email the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade
government@aspca.org

To help pass humane laws in Prince George's County, contact
Ramccla@aol.com

10. Resources to help you help dogs in need:
Downloadable "Unchain a Dog" materials
http://www.DogsDeserveBetter.com
http://www.helpinganimals.com/a-tether.html
http://www.hsus.org/ace/11865
http://www.animaladvocates.com/It'sTime-research-behav.htm
http://www.animaladvocates.com/It'sTime-research-physically.htm
http://www.animaladvocates.com/It'sTime-research-safety.htm
http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_HelpingAbusedAnimals.php
http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_Indoor.html
http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_BackyardDogs.php
http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_NeighborhoodWatch.php
http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_HumaneEducation.php

Housetraining Dogs and Teaching Dogs Good House Manners: for detailed
tipsheets on these and related topics, go to the Dog Tips index
http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/dog_tips.html
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For more Dog Tips and other information about pet
care, adoption and the work PAW does, visit our
website at: www.paw-rescue.org

Partnership for Animal Welfare
P.O. Box 1074, Greenbelt, MD 20768

Last Updated: November 02, 2003 (LET) PawSupport

Posted on SHARE Yahoo group Jan 5, 2004