I don't really understand why people chain their dogs. I guess it stems from a basic worry that the dogs will run away, but if that's the concern, build a fence.
On our small Wisconsin farm, we had dogs and cats, and chickens and cows. Every creature had the run of the farm, except the cows, and they would get out through the occasional hole in the fence. Dad believed that animals - like people - should be free. He also didn't believe that dogs or cats should be in the house, although he caved on the dog front as he got older.
Tammi Grimes of Altoona, Pa., founder of Dogs Deserve Better, a national rescue and advocacy group, fights the chaining of dogs. In April, she brought her message to Delaware's Week for the Animals.
Grimes' motivation comes from her childhood. Her family's Labrador retriever ran free, she remembers, but their beagle, Maggie, was chained.
"The chained one really made me sad," she says. "Just watching her all the time."
Grimes used those memories and an interest in animal issues to push for changes to dog chaining laws state by state. Already, California and Texas have put time limits on chaining, and Pennsylvania is close on similar legislation, she said.
"The chances of getting a full ban is pretty small," Grimes says of her state-by-state push. Breeders and hunters generally oppose a total ban. So states, including Pennsylvania, consider limiting the practice. California has a three-hour time limit; Texas' ban is from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. Last year, Grimes said, 14 states had anti-chaining bills introduced, but animal advocates in Delaware, decided to push other issues.
Marleen Oetzel, adoption coordinator for Lost and Found Dog Rescue in New Castle, wants to raise awareness and money as part of the nationwide Chain-Off 2008. Oetzel will be chained to a doghouse at Carey's Foreign & Domestic Repair in Georgetown for 24 hours starting at 10 a.m. June 28. She also will be chained to a doghouse for two 12-hour stints July 5-6 at Faithful Friends near Wilmington.
The idea is to draw attention to the issue and make people aware of the cruelty of chaining dogs. Animal activists hope to raise $4,000 to donate to Dogs Deserve Better to further Grimes' efforts. They also will have a petition for Delaware residents to sign.
In 2008, we shouldn't think that chaining an animal - any animal - has a place in our state.
22 comments:
Thank you for this article. The plight of the perpetually chained dog is really one of the most overlooked, misunderstood and pernicious animal welfare issues out there. The vast majority of people understand that chaining a dog by its neck for extended periods of time is a terrible form of abuse -- one of the worst that could be imagined for a social, intelligent pack animal. Yet, the barbaric habit persists in many places in the country and around the world. Old habits die hard, but this is truly just a bad habit -- and one that can be broken. There are many alternatives to confining a dog, other than keeping it chained. Laws that allow perpetual chaining give tacit accpeptance to people just taking the "easy way out" with regard to caring for their pet.
Check out www.dogsdeservebetter.org and please get involved. There's much to do. thanks!
Grimes was convicted of stealing a "chained" dog in Altoona, PA. Why isn't that mentioned in the article?
When I see a dog chained it breaks my heart. I sware I just want to cry. Even this picture makes me upset. I understand the "owner" fearing that the dog may run away.
But the suggestion to build a fence is a good one or the invisible chain may work, although I am not crazy about those either b/c of those collars that zap the dog if they go beyond the boundary.
I would love to chain those people who do this to a fence for one day to show them how horrible it is.
What if your dog jumps the fence? My friends Belgian Malinois regularly cleared his 6' fence. Is it then better to put the dog in a small kennel or a cage while you are at work, or give the dog some running room with a chain?
Electric fences stink. It doesn't keep any dog from coming into your yard, and a dog with enough motivation to get something outside the perimeter will take the zap to get out. Then it can't get back in.
I'm not in agreement of just chaining a dog up and leaving it unattended and uncared for (I called the SPCA on my neighbor for doing just that, after talking to him about the dog's condition fell on deaf ears), but there are some situations where using a chain is a viable way of containment.
Dog chaining is NOT INHUMANE if the dog is attended, and can not hang himself over anything. Instead of punishing all of the people who actually care about their animal AND use a tether, punish the people who REALLY abuse animals. My dog gets put on a tether, but I make sure he's clear of obstruction, use a harness, and keep an eye on him. Peopl ejust need to blame and complain. Go spend your money and efforts on the jerks who REALLY deserve it!!!
Bull, who's gonna pay yhe medical and funeral expenses of all the inner city residents attached by ghetto dog owners.
There is nothing wrong with a chained dog so long as that have room to run and shelter.
Lived int he contry and our dogs were very well taken care of an happy.
Has anyone else noticed that those comments in favor of chaining a dog has signed anonymous? Afraid to use a real name???
Because of Marleen Oetzel I found the courage to help a dog that I know was on a chain 24/7, 7 years that I knew of, and who knows how long before that.
I knew I could not take the dog.
I became this dogs friend. I saw it everyday and brought it food.
I became the highlight of his day. His owner only gave it morsels of leftovers, when he bothered to give him anything at all.
He had no food dish and he had most disgusting water dish you could imagine, which his owner hardly ever put water in.
One day the S.P.C.A took the dog, his owner was taken to the hospital. Marleen Oetzel gave me the strength to fight for this dog. I had not known where he had gone, I only found the empty chain one day when I went to feed him.
When I did find him at the S.P.C.A Marleen said "get him out, whatever it takes" you can not imagine the tears and feelings that shot through my heart.
My daughter (who is a volunteer for L&F Shelter) and I did all we could to get legal possession of the dog. And we did. My daughter Lisa is an angel in disguise. She is fostering the dog till he gets a new loving home. And in the meantime, she and Marleen Oetzel are seeing to it that he is getting the best of care, including his first grooming and vet visits ever.
The first time my daughter sent me pictures of Jakes first time ever walking on grass with no chain,
I could not stop crying. Tears of joy of course, but I just can't express the feelings I had not realized I had for Jake until I knew he was safe and rescued! I had harbored these sad feeling for Jake for so many years because I could not help him, that when I realized he would after all know affection, love and life it was so overwhelming! Had my daughter Lisa not become a volunteer for the shelter and possibly never would have become involved with Marleen Oetzel, Jake would probably not even be of this earth anymore, I'm sure he would have been put down by now, he was a mess when taken off the chain.
Bless all of those who work rescue and do for the helpless animals, what they cannot do for themselves!
Because of Marleen Oetzel and my angel of a daughter Lisa, Jake lives! And whatever time he has left will be with love and a freedom he has never known before.
I can't thank them enough for the tears of joy I have, every time I tell someone Jakes story!
He is only one dog, but because of the great love in the hearts of animal lovers, one dog, one more dog, will have the life he deserves!
P.S
I THINK SOME OF THE PEOPLE DO NOT SEE THE DIFFERANCE OF WHAT PEOPLE ARE ABOUT. A DOG, ON A LEASH OR CHAIN ONCE IN A WHILE IS NOT SO BAD AS LONG AS THEY GET FOOD AND WATER AND MAYBE A HUG AND A NICE PLACE TO SLEEP AT THE END OF A HOT, HARD DAY.
WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT THOSE WHO ARE CARED FOR. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THOSE WHO ARE CHAINED AND FORGOTTEN LIKE YESTERDAYS TRASH... NOT FED, NOR CARED FOR. NOTHING MORE THAN A SECURITY SYSTEM TO BARK IF SOMEONE COMES NEAR.
IF SOMEONE HAS A DOG ON A CHAIN FOR A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME, THATS NOT SO BAD, BUT TRY LIVING ON A CHAIN, NO LOVE OR ATTENTION, BARELY ANY FOOD. NOBODY TO CARE ABOUT YOU. NOBODY WHO WOULD EVEN NOTICE IF YOU DIED ON THAT CHAIN.
THAT IS WHAT SEEMS SO WRONG. SURE THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE THEIR DOGS ON CHAINS TO STOP THEM FROM RUNNING AWAY. OR ON A CHAIN TO STOP THEM FROM ATTACKING SOMEBODY. BUT ARE THEY LOVED? ARE THEY CARED FOR? YOU CAN HAVE A DOG ON A FARM, ON A CHAIN, BUT DO YOU LOVE HIM. DO YOU FEED HIM AND CARE IF HE GETS SICK? THERE ARE ANIMALS OUT THERE WHO HAVE NOBODY AND THE PERSON THAT PUT THEM ON THAT CHAIN DOES NOT CARE IF HE EATS, HAS WATER, SHADE FROM THE HOT SUN OR HEAT IN THE WINTER, OR LOVE. EVEN IF THEY ARE NOT LOVED, CAN'T THEY AT LEAST HAVE WATER OR FOOD, MAYBE SOME WARMTH IF IT IS 20 BELOW. THOSE ARE THE ONES WHO NEED HELP. IF A DOG COULD DIE DURING THE NIGHT AND IT WOULD TAKE 2 WEEKS FOR ANYONE TO NOTICE OR CARE... THAT IS SAD. THAT IS NOT CARING. THAT IS NOT HUMANE! AND THAT NEEDS TO BE STOPPED!
So Anonymous ,
go ahead, stop your dog from jumping the fence. Stop him from maybe attacking someone by trying to protect his area. Put a leash or chain on him, but always, ALWAYS, at the end of the day, everyday, love him. A soft word, a hug, good food and water. A dog is not trash or a cheap security system. It feels love, it feels pain. Let him know he exists, and matters. THE PEOPLE WITH DOGS OUT THERE THAT CAN'T REMEMBER THE LAST TIME THEY FED THEM.. LOVED THEM, WALKED THEM OR GAVE THEM EVEN A DROP OF WATER OR FOOD, THEY NEED TO BE STOPPED. CONFINE THEM FOR A SHORT TIME IF YOU MUST, BUT DON'T STOP GIVING THEM LOVE OR ATTENTION. ON A LEASH OR FREE, IF SOMEONE SHOWS YOU LOVE AND ATTENTION, AT LEAST ONCE A DAY, YOU EXIST. YOU ARE DESERVING. YOU MATTER. WHAT ABOUT THOSE WHO DON'T?
WHO LOVES THEM? Somebody should help them, don't you think so anonymous???
Debs the reason I posted anonymous is not because I'm hiding, it's because I don't have an account for these blog posts. My ID on the NJ site is K9DogMan. I'm the one who posted about the Malinois jumping the fence and my neighbors dog who was one of those who was chained and not being cared for.
FYi There are other organizations participating in the Delaware Chain Off 2008. This is from A Buddy For Lifes website (abuddyforlife.org):
Two of A Buddy For Life's volunteers/foster parents Jenn Callahan and Chris Cattie will be participating in Dogs Deserve Better's Annual 2008 Chain Off Event (dogsdeservebetter.org). They will be chaining themselves to a dog house for a 24 hour period to raise awareness of the plight of chained dogs! The event will be taking place Sat June 28, 2008 starting at 4pm til Sun June 29, 2008 4pm at Happy Dog Healthy Dog Bakery (1825 Delaware Ave Wilm, DE 19806). There will be lots of information regarding Dogs Deserve Better, and A Buddy For Life, Inc.
Please considering sponsoring Jenn and Chris in their efforts at http://www.firstgiving.com/jenncallahan
Special thanks to Diane from Happy Dog Healthy Dog who is graciously allowing our volunteers to chain themselves at her store. Please stop by the bakery and bring some wonderful healthy homemade biscuits home to your four legged best friend.
Stay tuned for our official press release!
We hope to see you at Chain Off 2008!
Please everyone, come out and support those volunteers of these rescue organizations who have decided to take a stand!
There is nothing wrong with putting a dog on a chain. There are house dogs and people rent houses with no fence they chain the dog out side for a bit when they cook dinner and the dog is fine after dinner they go for a walk don't condem every one there are good dog owners out there.Spend your time on the bad ones!
Chain Human "Not Dogs" let start with our Representatives in the House and Senate!
anybody who chains their dogs outside all day should be made to wear one under the same conditions. some jackazz can't even take care of a themselves let alone a pet or child.
In my neighborhood as a child, one of our neighbors kept their dog on a metal chain in the yard. During a thunder storm one evening, the dog was electricuted and died. The next dog they had died the exact same way, one year later. Some people never learn...
I really am annonymous too since no one can figure out my identity. Forget my criticism.
Ok folks, if a law is passed forbidding the keeping of a dog on a chain run, get ready to scrape them from the roads & highways; prepare for roaming packs of strays (I mean more than we already deal with); make your home available so you may rescue large dogs. Consider the homelessness and less humane harm/injury some animals will suffer as a result.
Me? No, I would never keep a tethered pet. I see the stories of floods and tornados and I KNOW what has happened to the tethered (and many fenced) animals... THAT is horrific.
BUT, there are responsible owners who lovingly and properly care for a tethered pet. I would not deny those animals a loving home and doom them to fending for themselves among our roadways...
About 10 years ago, my neighbors down the street had two German Shepherds. They loved their dogs and made a good faith effort to keep them in their yard using a wooden stockade fence that was burried a foot into the ground and still rose 6 feet high. Despite their constant work to keep their dogs in their yard, the dogs dug their way out about once per month. It was annoying to people in the neighborhood; the dogs dug up people's yards and even scratched up our door and seriously freaked out the cat. While all that was a nuisance, it was admittedly trivial when up against the good treatment of the animals. What was really upsetting is that one day when these dogs got loose, they killed our domestic pet rabbits which we kept in a pen in our backyard in the summer. Better we figured to let them run around in a spacious pen in the back yard (which they never dug out of), than to keep them cooped up in those small rabbit cages. The rabbits were not bloody, so we have no reason to believe that the dogs were violent. They did obviously get very excited, tare a hole in the chicken wire pen, and chase the rabbits into the yards of other neighbors where we found them dead...heart attacks from fear. Our neighbors ended up giving the dogs away a couple years later. They simply couldn't find a way to deal with the dogs, and the entire neighborhood had pretty much estranged them because of the problems those dogs caused. What happenes in a sitation like this? Is it fair that they had to give away their dogs? The dogs could have been put down for all I know. One day they were just gone. There are some dogs that simply cannot be contained, and some people that can only afford so many investments to keep the dogs in their yard. I don't think our neighbors ever thought they would go through what they went through with those dogs, or that it would cost so much money trying to contain them. If they did, they wouldn't have gotten them. It was quite extraordinary.
Anonymous wrote that Grimes was convicted of stealing a chained dog in Altoona,PA. NO Anonymous, Grimes did not steal the helpless creature, in fact she rescued it and should have been given a metal of honorable mention for a caring and actings!
It is interesting that people care about crimes. You should all know marleen oetzel (previously marleen cathers) is a convicted felon, and a child abuser. I know because I am her son. For the few short years I was in her "care", I knew nothing but hunger and misery. Her other son, from a different father (joe sitoski, killed himself rather then be with marleen) by the name of drew has changed his name numerous times due to drunken driving convictions and cocaine related problems. Before you give money to marleen oetzel or worse, your valued pets, know that my own grandmother told me that when she came to see me when I was an infant, marleen oetzel would leave me in my crib for days on end in feces soaked diapers. This "animal lover" also told me directly that she hated my father and "got back at him" to torturing me. My father is dead, suicide in 2004, and marleen oetzel has little more to offer then actively hampering my progress whenever possible. The entire animal rights issue is little more then a ploy to disguise marleen oetzels true nature. You should all know marleen oetzel is a drug addict, alcoholic, and a former prostitute. Any that consider doing business with marleen oetzel should look into her criminal background and inquire about her youngest son. If she has little more then malicious gossip to say about her own child, as opposed to facts, you will know how she will treat you and your animals. Fair warning!
Yup, doesn't make a whole lot of sense getting a dog just to chain him outside. It just makes Fido miserably unhappy, which the folks that practice this method of containment, well they don't really care about his happiness. Yet probably, they all will tell you how much they love their dog.
Go Figure !
I'll make sure to stop thru and take a picture of Marleen chained to the doghouse...maybe then I can feel differently about her...maybe she treats animals better than people...
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