Andrea Rosebrock 
Recently in the news there was a story about a bee swarm killing a dog. One of the hardest to reading lines in the story was, “tried to rescue the Dalmation mix that was helpless to defend himself.”
This dog, chained to a fence, had no way of getting away from the deadly swarm of bees. Now, there’s no way of know if the dog would have been able to get away and survive if it had not been chained but as it was, the dog was completely helpless, defenseless.
I’ve read stories of chained dogs being attacked by roaming packs of dogs and injured or killed because they have no way of getting away are are basically at the mercy of their attackers.
And of course there are the stories of chained dogs unable to reach shelter in the freezing cold or sweltering heat, not being able to reach food or water, getting tangled in their chains and strangling. Another recent story was about a chained St. Bernard that was forced to chew of its own leg after getting tangled in some wire.
So far I haven’t even addressed the point that chained dogs live lives of isolation and neglect. This is actually probably the saddest part. Dogs, naturally social, friendly animals forced to endure enforced isolation, stuck on one spot, day after day, year after year. They eventually lose all hope.
Look at these faces; sad, miserable, alone.
Dogs are companion animals, emphasis on ‘companion.’ For 15,000 year we have domesticated them and trained them and made them part of our lives. It is up to us to be responsible for their life and their welfare.
Why does anyone even have a dog if all they do is chain it up or stick it in a pen or leave it in a yard? This is something I will never understand! My, admitted spoiled dogs, bring me more joy and happiness then just about anything in my life. To come home to their ebullient greeting is unparalleled
The other day I was reading over a writing called ‘The Backyard Dog’, which I’ve posted 
below, and I looked outside in my yard and saw my Jezzie and Bruti. They were lounging in a patch of sunlight, just basking in the yard. The thought that crossed my mind is that yes, my dogs are outside in the yard but when they want to come in the house, they can, anytime. You see, I have a dog door and Jezz and Brut have access to the house or yard 24/7/365.
They are part of the family, treasured, cherished parts of my family. They will never have to worry about food or water and just as important, they will never want for love or affection or care. Even when I am not home, they still have each other for companionship.
Dogs truly ask for so little yet give so much in return, unconditional love and companionship. So take a moment and read “The Backyard Dog’ and think, do you know any dogs who would fit this sad profile? Is there anything you can do to help? Yes! Talk to the owners, try to make them understand. And if it’s truly and situation of neglect or abuse, make a phone call.
Also check out the websites – Dogs Deserve Better and Unchain Your Dog. They offer tips for what you can do and more information such as the fact that chained dogs are the worst perpetrators of dog bites, usually to small children, it’ll tell you why too. It’s very important! Take the time if you care at all!
The Backyard Dog
You see one in every community, a dog tied day after day to a back porch or fence, lying lonely on a pad of bare, packed dirt. The waterbowl, if there is one, is usually empty or just out of reach. Abandoned, but chained up, backyard dogs cannot move to comfort, shelter, or companionship. In winter, they shiver, in summer, they languish . . . year round they suffer.
Of course, dogs can be forced to live outside, alone and away from their human pack, but to force this kind of life on a dog is one of the worst things you can do. Being alone goes against the dog’s most basic instinct. If you doubt this, think of all the whining, barking, clawing dogs you have seen tied alone outside. These dogs are trying desperately to get the attention of their human families.
People who keep their dogs constantly tied outside rationalize it, saying that they do spend time with them. But even the most well-meaning among them do not spend significant time with their animal companions. Under the best of circumstances, the backyard dog gets a bowl of food and water, a quick pat on the head and maybe a few minutes of contact with another living being each day.
Dogs can offer people the gifts of steadfast devotion, abiding love and joyful companionship. Unless people accept these offerings and take the time to return them in kind, it would be best not to get a dog. A sad, lonely, bewildered dog tied out back only suffers, and what sort of person wants to maintain suffering?
- Author Unknown
The unspeakable horrors of the backyard or tied up dog must be exposed. I hate dogs in the streets but they would have a better life – set free. At least they could look for food, get away from a horrid cruel owner. There is never an excuse to do this. I too have dogs and like yours, have access inside/out 24/7/365. Same with food and they are not fat. I just wish there were rigorous tests to prove everyone is fit to have an animal before one takes it home and also follow-ups forever. We are priveledged to share our home with these creatures – all they ask for is love, food/water & shelter. How hard is it to give that??????????????????/