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Get
your
Chain Off 2007 Attire!
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Gina
Stiffler Area
woman uses chain in promoting dog cause By David Hurst, dhurst@altoonamirror.com, Mirror photo by Jason Sipes GALLITZIN — While the nation celebrated its independence Wednesday, Gina Stiffler was looking forward to a time when chained dogs have their day. The Gallitzin woman joined other Dogs Deserve Better members across the country this week who chained themselves to porches and doghouses in a movement to unchain man’s best friend. “It’s about freedom,” said Stiffler, who tied herself to a dog carrier beside her Jackson Street home for 12 hours Wednesday. “Dogs should be free, not chained to their homes or inside them their whole lives.” Stiffler was joined by her three children and three four-legged adopted ones: Sadie, a boxer mix; Mogwai, a black lab mix; and Brutus, a Rottweiler mix. Her chain was long enough to reach signs and posters she created, depicting photos of current and former pets — as well as “rescued” ones: dogs freed from chains by other members. One sign read “chains break hearts,” and another read “Life sentence. No parole.” “We’re trying to educate people that it’s not right to chain a dog down,” Stiffler said, adding that confinement can deprive dogs of food and water, lead to injury and expose them to unhealthy conditions. “They deserve the freedom we deserve.” Dogs Deserve Better founder Tammy Grimes orchestrated the event, gaining support from volunteers in at least 34 states where similar protests were held. Grimes gained attention in 2006 when she unchained and walked away with an East Freedom couple’s sickly dog. Grimes was arrested but has fought the charges publicly, saying the dog was abused and near death after being left outside for days at the end of a tether. Those charges are pending in court. Stiffler’s husband, Mark, recalled watching the event unfold on TV last year. He admits he had mixed feelings when Gina decided to join the group last year. He now supports the group, pointing to a “No Chains” bumper sticker on his pickup truck. “Our dogs sleep inside with us... a king-sized bed isn’t big enough,” he said. “It’s us, the kids, our three dogs, a cat, a hamster, rat and two birds. It’s a jungle, but it’s home.” Gina Stiffler collected $84 in sponsors to wear the collar Wednesday and collected at least $16 in donations while sitting outside, she said. “I’ve tried to get all the attention I could,” she said. A little star power also seems to be helping the group. Robin Williams, Betty White and Johnny Depp sent autographed dog collars or photos to help drum up funds for their auction and find loving homes for dogs. One collar, from one of Williams’ dogs, netted more than $400 on eBay last week. “I was astonished to see what people sent ... and Williams’ name [on the list],” Stiffler said. “ I think we’re making a difference.” Mirror Staff Writer David Hurst is at 946-7457. Animal Rights Activist Spends Day Chained To A Doghouse (www.wjactv.com) GALLITZIN, Pa. -- It's not the way you would want to live your life so a group of animal rights activist say dogs shouldn't have to live chained up either. One of the members of Dogs Deserve Better spent Wednesday tied up to a doghouse to draw attention to poor treatment of animals. "It's pretty boring and it's pretty heavy -- pretty lonely out here," said Gina Stiffler, a member of Dogs Deserve Better. Stiffler described what it felt like being chained to a doghouse. She is among a number of animal rights activists locally and around the country taking part in what's called a "Chain Off", an event meant to discourage pet owners from chaining their dogs outside or leaving them locked up for long periods of time. Both she says are big problems. "And I have flyers up posted of people in the area that have their dogs chained outside," said Stiffler. The "Chain Off" events are taking place over several days. The one on Wednesday was planned specifically to coincide with the 4th of July. "Freedom rings, you know, your dogs don't get no freedom tied to a tree or tied to a dog box," said Stiffler. "They don't get no food, no water. They deserve the freedom that we deserve. It's the land of the free." Stiffler and everyone else involved ultimately want to see laws in place that will protect animals from being chained or penned. They are hoping that the various events event will help drive the message home.
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