How do you feel about chaining a dog?

Question

How do you personally feel about chaining a dog? I ran across the account below and it made me wonder what the law would do if this had happened in my state.

http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/doogieletter.html

This is long, but for people who don't want to click on the links:

Here is the background info:

We got a call from Kim Eicher in East Freedom 9/11/06, crying because Doogie hadn't gotten up since Saturday. She had been calling the Central Pennsylvania Humane Society since Saturday to no avail. We told her we aren't law officers, and she needed to call the Humane Officer. We told her to make sure she left a message, very clearly, about the problem. Then we got another call about the same dog, from another person who passes him every day. At that point we called Kim back to see if she'd heard from the Humane Officer. She had not, was very, very upset and we were very worried about him, so we promised her we'd go out and see what we could do.

Continued...

When we arrived, we took photos and video of Doogie. We initially thought he was dead, as he was not moving and his back was to us. We found out that the people were not home to talk to about him, so I made the decision that I would not leave him lying there on the cold wet ground for one moment longer, and I would accept all consequences of my decision.

Kim Eicher has agreed to testify as to the animal cruelty perpetrated against Doogie. She cried the whole time we were there, you can hear her on the video.
I think once you see the video and pictures, you'll understand why I made this decision.

The vet documented his general negligent condition, low weight, sores, missing fur, and took xrays of his back and hips. He determined that he has very bad back spurs that are causing him a lot of pain and are most likely responsible for his inability to walk. He also saw an undetermined mass near his hip on the xray.

He gave him a shot for pain plus some B vitamins for energy, so that perhaps he could have even one good day or a few good hours. He wrote a letter stating his condition.

As we got to the vet, the CPHS Humane Officer Gotshall was just leaving, and he stopped us. He was about to go out to the residence. When he found out we had Doogie with us, he was not happy. I volunteered to take Doogie back and he could pick him up instead. He refused that, and stated that I should get him the vet care he needed, and to call him afterward on his cell.

When I later called him, he did not answer, I left a message asking him what he wanted me to do with Doogie, he never called back.

Shortly after we got Doogie to my home, situated, bathed—had to, the stench was too bad—and fed and watered an Officer Flaig called from the Freedom Township Police Department (Freedom, isn't that ironic?). He wanted me to return Doogie, which I refused to do.

I explained that I had video and photos documenting the animal cruelty, and the neighbor was willing to testify; why didn't he pursue that as they were the perpetrators of the crime, and should be charged? He refused, and was not interested in seeing my evidence.

He and three other police vehicles arrived at my home at approximately 9:30 p.m. As I refused to hand Doogie over to be returned to death on a chain, and would not tell them where he was, I was taken into custody, transported to the East Freedom police office, and charged with theft, receiving stolen property, criminal mischief, and criminal trespass. I was released on $50,000 unsecured bond and ordered to appear at a preliminary hearing September 21, 2006.

I was treated like a common criminal, especially by Chief Reilly, who called me a 'freakin' idiot', 'incompetent', and I overheard him telling Officer Flaig that if I ever came near his dog I would have a slug in my a**.

Again, there was no interest in any evidence that the dog had been abused or criminally neglected. As far as they were concerned, the dog's safety or condition was not even an issue.

I was released after seeing Judge Aigner, where Chief Reilly asked that I be not given bail but incarcerated for my failure to cooperate. It was 2:00 a.m., and I had no ride home, over 30 miles away. I had to walk to a local all-night store to call and get a cab, because there was no concern over how I would get home. Their attempt to dehumanize me didn't work. I held my head high and still do. I looked Chief Reilly square in the eye at every opportunity. I will not be broken.

Here's what I need from you all. View the videos and photos. I think you'll agree with me that this is NOT acceptable in ANY way in any kind of civilized society. We cannot allow this kind of animal abuse. Period.

All of the above from: http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/doogieletter.html

RIP Doogie.

Answer 1

As has already been stated.. the Chaining issue really depends on the case.

I had a Husky/Collie/Wolf mix at one point.. and in the winter we had NO choice but to chain her up outside with access to the garage.. When she was a puppy we didn't need to.. but as she got older she would over heat in the house when the heater was on.. (the Husky/Wolf genes gave her a VERY thick coat).. When the vet told us it could make her very sick we had to settle for giving her access to the garage.. (she didn't go in very often.. she did the wolf thing and slept in the snow) We did however bring her in for a few hours a day to keep her inside with the family.. and if the weather got TOO bad..

This particular case is not that recent.. I'd heard it before.. (and watched the video's of the dog) and is really a sad case. This is not ONLY about the chaining.. It is more about the failure of the system.. and happens so often it's pathetic.. ( I know of 2 somewhat recent examples of this failure in my own county as well) There is no easy fix for the problem though.. unless the organizations for animal protection and law enforcement work together (or you combine the two as is the case in New York) it will keep happening..

I am however a firm believer that no dog should be kept on a chain 24 hours a day.. I don't understand the point of getting a dog to keep as a yard ornament.. If dogs are not allowed in the house for some reason.. don't get a dog.. or move.. If you live in a small home and a big dog won't fit in well.. get a small dog that will.. ..or don't get a dog.

with mine.. three seasons of the year she was an indoor dog.. when it was healthier for her to live outdoors she did.. but she was not forbidden to come in either.

Answer 2

I do sometimes use tie outs, when camping / out and about with my dogs and this is fine but dogs should never live their lives on the end of a chain.

In my opinion the only thing you did wrong in rescuing this dog the way you did was telling people about it, which is what has got you into trouble. Unfortunately dogs are "property" and legally what you did was theft (saving an animals life doesn't come into it) so I think the moral of this story is in future go in the dark, keep quiet, get the dog to some place where no one would recognize it and tell the vet etc. you "found" it straying.

Answer 3

I think it is high time that we as a society wise up and realize that chaining a dog in your backyard, providing it with food, water, and shelter, but no positive interaction, no affection, no training, is WRONG.
Dogs are pack animals and need to be part of a pack, which due to domestication, is you and your family. If you can't let the dog be part of your family and into your home, then don't get a dog. I never understood the point of getting a dog if you are going to leave it outside tied to a tree. I cannot begin to count how many times I've seen dogs come into the shelter with a chain or collar embedded into its' neck.
I recently became aware that Arizona has joined with several other states that have already banned chaining. I hope Ohio is next. Chaining is cruel and unnecessary.
I think dogs deserve better is an excellent organization, and I hope to see their message spread.

Answer 4

I think, by your description, and no other input or defense from the other side, that this is an extreme case of neglect, period.
I am sorry that you have had to suffer, and be treated so badly by ignorant people who happen to be in a seat of power, but no brain with which to think and reason.
People like that should be chained up and made to feel like poor Doogie.
Did Doogie's former owners receive any punishment for their neglect? Did they ever own up to their mistake, and give Doogie any justice? Chief Reilley and the local ASPCA/Humane Society should seek these people out too!
shame on them!!
and if the chief thinks it's okay to treat a dog like that, and you should stay away from his dog, then tie him next to the dog too!

Chains were made to keep dogs safe, and keep property safe, as dogs watched over them.
I believe if the only option you have is to chain your dog, then do it responsibly. this means you still exercise your dog, feed them and care for them with shelter and love them.
You DO NOT chain your dog up and forget about them, thinking this is caring for your animal.
people like that should be chained up to see how they like it themselves!!

Answer 5

I use a tie out from necessity. I have not ever nor will I ever leave my dog outside on a tie out for longer than absolutely necessary. I support 'chaining laws' 100% and advocate for them everywhere I go. Honestly I'm amazed I've not been arrested for 'theft' yet considering that I too am willing to take full responsibility and accept the consequences for my actions. No dog should die on the end of a chain.

Answer 6

Good Lord...like anyone has time to read something that long! Without reading it...I don't agree with having a dog if it's going to be chained outside...even for part of the day. THat's just me, but I think a dog should be like a member of the family.

Answer 7

While I wouldn't advocate chaining a dog every day of its life, in some cases the situation pretty much requires it. For example, this summer we had to re-sod a big portion of our backyard because our house was going up for sale. So we had to plant new seed, spray it with chemicals, keep the moisture level maintained, etc.

The only problem with this is that we have an outside dog, and that's where he lives.

Most of the time our dog has a pretty good life, thanks to the fact that he has a 5,500 square foot fenced yard to run around and explore, and my two kids who are always running around playing with him. But the minute we had to re-seed, we had problems. Because there was no way a dog was going to leave a bunch of chemicals and lawn seed alone. Best case scenario, he eats the seed and ruins the lawn, worst case scenario he eats the chemicals and gets sick. So in this case we pretty much had to chain him up for a couple of weeks. It wasn't the ideal solution to the problem, but it was pretty much the only one. We got him a big long chain and made sure he could only as far as the edge of the sod. He wasn't happy being on a chain for 6-8 weeks but that's just the way it had to be. And of course he was thrilled when his "jail term" was over and he could run around free like before.

It depends on your situation.

But it shouldn't be permanent.

Answer 8

That is not really an argument for or against chaining and tie outs, but rather a case of extreme neglect and abuse.

I don't have a problem if someone keeps their dog on a tie as long as its well-cared for and loved. Sometimes a tie is neccesary.

My boyfriends boxer stays on a chain when he is in the yard because he is an escape artist and a fence hopper. He certainly isn't neglected though. He's indoors whenever people are home, but he likes to spend nice sunny days laying outside. A tie keeps him in the yard and safe from cars and getting lost.

Answer 9

Wow. happens all the time. I would have done the same thing. I would have then brought up charges against the animal control officer on neglecting his duties and whatever else I could find.

Answer 10

If it is a reasonably long chain and food water and shelter are easily in reach then its not so bad. Just don't keep it chained like all day or something.