Many municipalities in the United States are ultimately waking up to the awful suffering experienced by pet dogs chained covering by ignorant owners. Often left without shelter from extreme summer heat and winter cold, often without food or water, and unable to leave from other population or animals who would do them harm, these poor dogs deserve better. In my home state of Florida, some counties have enacted outright bans on chaining dogs covering unless the owner is also covering with them. With active and enthusiastic participation from local communities, these ordinances have in fact made a inequity in enhancing the lives of the animals we call our best friends but sometimes treat worse than our enemies.
How Tethering Harms Animals, and Why It Must Be Stopped
When we stop and think about the suffering that humans enforce on their loyal animal companions, we in fact have to wonder why tethering has not been banned for decades. The even bigger mystery, however, is why there are still so many population who oppose anti-tethering ordinances, even when presented with the following facts:
- Dogs are public creatures and need quarterly interaction with the rest of their "pack." Chaining them by themselves for long periods does irreparable psychological damage, Often rendering them neurotic, anxious, and aggressive.
- Dogs that are chained up cannot run away when threatened and can only defend themselves by biting. Studies have confirmed that chained dogs are much more likely to bite, and the victim is normally a small child.
- Dog tethers can in fact become entangled on other objects, supplementary restricting an already diminutive range of petition or even prominent to asphyxiation. Collars constantly rub on the dog's neck, leaving it raw and open to infection.
- Water bowls, if provided, tend to get knocked over, leaving the animal with nothing to drink. The dog must urinate and defecate in the same small area, presenting an determined health hazard and supplementary affronting its dignity. Any grass is fast trampled down, leaving nothing but dirt on which to live.
- A chained dog doesn't get the exercise it needs and is commonly neglected in every way, receiving inadequate nourishment and curative care.
- Exposure to extreme temperatures can be deadly. In Florida, where to date only a few municipalities have responded with ordinances, heatstroke is a constant threat for much of the year. Temperatures over 85 degrees are potentially deadly to dogs.
- Chaining is often a sign that the dogs are used for fighting. Giving animal-welfare officers the potential to fine owners who tether their dogs gives them other weapon against this hateful practice.
- Chained dogs do not make sufficient guard dogs. All they can do is bark, and they will tend to bark at anything, losing the potential to discern genuine threats. The best guard dogs are raised like members of the family.
Both the Usda and the American Veterinary curative association have declared tethering to be inhumane. Yet without anti-tethering ordinances, animal-welfare officers are not able to intervene to safe neglected dogs until it's too late, because most existing animal cruelty laws do not address the many problems caused by tethering.
The Bogus Arguments Used Against Anti-Tethering Ordinances
One of the most base arguments developed in response to proposed anti-tethering laws is that many dog owners cannot afford to fence in their yards. But the acknowledge to this is obvious: the dog does not have to be covering anyway. How do apartment-dwellers manage fine without chaining dogs outside? In hot climates such as mine, the dog should be inside most of the time anyway, as it is far too hot outside. A dog needs to feel like it belongs - like it is part of the family unit. Dogs treated in this way are best adjusted psychologically and will also be more sufficient guard dogs.
Another consulation used against anti-tethering ordinances is the charge of paying animal-welfare officers to enforce it. We are seeing this play out right now in some Central Florida counties. Often missing from the consulation is the fact that officers can in fact create income by fining offenders. Furthermore, practical sense in some counties that have adopted such laws has produced fantastic responses from local communities, with residents informing the county whenever they see animals being tethered. This greatly reduces the need for investigation, allowing officers to focus largely on issuing warnings and, when necessary, citations.
