Andrea Rosebrock 
Too many people think as long as they feed, water and shelter a dog, that’s good enough but it’s not. Abuse takes many forms and neglect is one of them and probably one of the most prevalent. Living creatures require more than just the minimum basics to live. Sure, they can survive and exist but in what kind of condition, what kind of a life is mere existence?
The following letter says so much and illustrates so clearly that existence is not living.
This letter is inspired by a chained-up dog that I drive by every day. Nearly all dog owners understand that their pets need love, affection, exercise and veterinary care; that they need to feel like part of the family. But some people, and I mean very few, treat their dogs as though they were nothing but lawn ornaments.
I hate having to watch a poor dog tied to the end of a chain rotting away and suffering from boredom, loneliness and isolation. I mean really, what is the point of having a dog when all you’re going to do it is give it a miserable life? Dogs are social animals. When they are forced to live their entire lives chained and alone, they suffer from severe psychological, emotional, and behavioral effects.
Most of them get mean and aggressive after only a few months. It’s not good for them, and it’s certainly not good for the community. Nobody wants to see it.
And then, there’s the ridiculous misperception that it’s acceptable to chain a dog outside in any kind of weather; like heat waves when all they can do to escape is go inside a sweltering dog house. Not to mention the swarms of black flies that drive them mad and eat them alive. So please, if you own a dog that is continuously chained, do us all (and the dog) a favour and find it a good home. Neglect is a serious form of abuse and it’s everyone’s business to speak up about it.
Wendy Gorman,
Coleman Township
In my home state of California the state government recently outlawed the practice of tethering a dog outside for more than a few hours at a time. Hopefully it will be well-enforced. It will be interesting to see what effect it has on the frequency of attacks by aggressive dogs. Do any other states have such a law?
Susan, more and more cities and town are enacting anti-tethering ordinances but until they all do it will never be enough. To find out more about this topic, visit Dogs Deserve Better. It’s one of the best sites around when it comes to the fight against chaining dogs. There’s a number of others too.
Now hopefully they’ll work at enforcing the law. That’s one of the biggest problems with laws, lack of enforcement and them you have lack of prosecution.
We’ll just keep hoping and praying and above all, working, to effect changes and make things better.
D.