Our hearts and the hearts of millions of animal-lovers throughout the world undeniably want to reach out to dogs that are caged, chained, and otherwise treated as dangerous creatures. We know that dogs, like humans and other animals, have psychological and emotional desires aside from their physical needs. For a dog, the absence of affection, love, and the company of other dogs is emotional torture. Despite this realization, a lot of dogs continue to be chained and caged. In fact, this is one of the most common forms of animal cruelty.
Not enough effort is being done to stop this widespread practice. And this type of passivity causes others to assume that chaining is an acceptable practice. It isn’t. Confinement has negative effects on a dog’s health, temperament, and well-being. A chained dog lives a lonely and miserable life. It does not even have the opportunity to interact with its pack, run, or to sniff out its own food.
Some individuals confine their dogs to a tight space because they treat them as “guard dogs” that should bark when an intruder enters the property. This is a very cruel reason to treat healthy and friendly animals. But most often chain their dogs for reasons such as, “I’m chaining my dog until he learns not to run away” or “I’m just waiting for him to be housebroken”. However, these desirable attributes cannot be obtained through confinement; it only makes the situation worse.
Dogs become aggressive and hyperactive when they’re chained for a significant amount of time. On the flipside, they also become fearful, timid, and less able to interact due to their confinement. The emotional torture they go through is unacceptable. It is time to form a collective action that will stop this type of treatment to man’s best friend.
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This is the saddest picture and topic. I agree that this is so very cruel and unnecessary.
On my blog, there is a picture of a black dog, Rocky, who had followed my husband home from walking our other dogs one day. It was very obvious that he had been tied up outside by his appearance. He had burns around his neck and his coat was a wiry reddish color from being out in the hot sun. He is a fun loving and happy dog now. He is hyper at times. But aren’t they all? We are so glad that he found us. He brought out such good things in our family. We did not intend to keep him, but we’re so glad we did!
Thanks for blogging about this outrageous cruelty toward some otherwise very good dogs. I hope that you will go by and see a picture of Rocky. We are so proud to have him as a member of our pack. Now, we call him “Rock Star”.
– Teresa
I wanted to share a post that I wrote in November with you
A dog in chains
This post was written by clasidog on November 18, 2008
Posted Under: Laws & Legislation
The dog stood shivering with cold aching with loneliness staring pitifully as we drove by. His chain was a short and he had barely enough room to make it to his water bowl. I wondered , as I have so many times in the past, why anyone would bother to have an animal just to leave it neglected, alone and chained. Was this poor animal supposed to be some sort of security? He could not have been more than six months old at the most.
I fought with myself to go back, go back and rescue this miserable creature. But the law was stuck in my head and the thought of what would be like stealing, overcame my hearts desire. I could not decide ethically’ which would be the greater ‘wrong’.
As many of you sit and read what I have written I am sure you feel like the decision would be easy for you, I know because I would be the same.
And yet I passed by, not once, not twice, but day after day.
I saw the animal suffer the cold and then the heat, some days no water was accessible for him to drink as the blazing heat beat down on him. His only shelter was the shade and branches of the tree that he was chained to.
I considered myself a great dog advocate and yet I did nothing. I felt felt guilty (horribly guilty) but my guilt did not save this puppy, or give him a nurturing safe home.
At that point in time I was unaware of the fact that I could report this neglect and abuse. I did not know that is was legally considered an actual act of abuse, although a very gray area.
Since that time ( this was many years ago) there has been a bill introduced, this year in fact in February to go into effect October 1st. The HB-1023-Restraint of dogs bill.
Unfortunately so it seems it was withdrawn a mere eight days later. But the attempt does show that this is a serious concern for many. There are other states that do have dog restraint laws and hopefully it will be re introduced at some point in the near future and passed in Florida.
I am writing this particular article because I know that many of you out there that are like me, or how I once was.
You may see an abusive situation but are unclear and unsure of what to do.
Call animal control, call the sheriff’s department, report what is going on. Animal neglect and or abuse is something that can be stopped. It is our responsibility as the race with consciousness to protect our animals, animals that trust us and look to us for their care.
I won’t have a dog if I have to keep it chained or tied. That just isn’t right. Great post!
I could not agree with you more! Dogs are social and need to be with their pack. We are their pack! They need to be with us. Not tied up somewhere. I would love to give those who treat their animals this way, a taste of their own medicine!
Why have a dog just to ignore him? I don’t get it… and it’s so horrible.
Our latest boy – Timber – was kept in a back yard on a chain. Not only that but his idiot owner shot him with a BB gun and beat him with a rake. Nice right?
When we brought Timber home he had never walked on a leash. I’m not sure where he slept but he had no dog house previously. Now he sleeps wherever he wants – often in our bed. =) And we are making progress on leash walking, though he is part Malamute and very stubborn.