We recently celebrated Valentine’s Day. Some of us included the dogs in our home in
this festivity of love and commitment. Unfortunately, for a large number of canines
life is lived without the warmth of the human bond. So this month, also known as “ Unchain a Dog
Month”, is dedicated to bringing awareness about those animals forced to live
alone, chained outside without the love, care, and companionship they crave.
Dogs are social beings. Put a
dog on a chain and leave him/her alone in one area for days, months, or even
years and he/she will suffer both physically and psychologically. These dogs endure unbelievable hardships. They suffer from erratic feedings, overturned
water bowls, and have no, or limited access to, adequate medical care. Often a chained dog becomes starved,
dehydrated and ill because it entangles in its chain and becomes unable to
access food or water. They suffer from variations
in weather. During extreme cold there is
no warmth. Rarely is there adequate
shelter during heavy rain or snow. When
temperatures soar to triple digits, they often do not have protection from the
sun or sufficient, clean water to quench their thirst. Moreover, because they are in a very confined
area, not only do they sleep, defecate
and eat all in one place, but often it is nothing but a patch of hardened dirt
or mud that is rarely, if ever, cleaned.
In many cases, the ropes or collars encircling their necks become
embedded, the result of years of neglect and constantly straining to escape their
bond of confinement. Chained dogs do not
receive affection simply because their owners can easily ignore them. Because
they have no socialization, approaching them becomes difficult. If one takes a friendly dog and keeps it
continuously chained, the animal often becomes aggressive. Unable to distinguish between friend and foe,
when confronted with a perceived threat and unable to take flight, they feel
forced to fight, attacking anything unfamiliar entering its territory.
In addition, they are vulnerable to other animals and cruel people
(other than their owners). Some are shot,
others set on fire, poisoned or tortured beyond endurance. They are targets for thieves looking to sell
them or use them for dog fighting. As a
final indignity, the dog’s chain, easily tangled, can slowly strangle him to
death.
Under California Health and Safety Code, it is illegal to tether,
fasten, chain, tie, or restrain a dog to a doghouse, tree, fence, or any other
stationary object. It is further
prohibited to tether a dog to a running line, trolley, or pulley with a choke
or pinch collar. It is legal to tether a
dog for any activity, provided the restraining of the dog is necessary for
completion of a task, is temporary, and lasts for no more than three hours in a
24-hour period. Depending on
circumstances, violation of the dog-tethering laws in California is either an
infraction, punishable by a fine of up to $250 per illegally tethered dog or a
misdemeanor, with a possible penalty of up to $1,000 in fines per dog, six
months in county jail, or both.
Call local animal control if you see a dog that is chained to a
stationary object day in and day out. An
official is required to investigate the situation if the dog’s guardian is
breaking the law. In addition, raise
community awareness of the problem. Help
educate the dogs’ owners, with the hope they will learn to treat their pets
better. You may not be able to convince
the owner to unchain or even relinquish the dog. Nor may you be able to convince them to make
any changes themselves to improve the dog’s life. Nevertheless, you can try to be sure water
and food is easily reached and available, that there is some modicum of adequate
shelter and always be relentless in bringing the situation before the
authorities. That dog is counting on you
to be the voice he does not have.
Chaining is a terribly cruel fate for the animals we consider to be “Man’s
best friend” and it is up to us to improve their lives.
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