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Imagine
a dog imprisoned on a chain? Unable to move around? Unable to lie
down? Stuck outside in the cold? Placed in solitary confinement
without the love and humane care he needs? Why is he being punished?
What did he do wrong? Nothing, he is just the victim of a person
who doesn’t know, understand, or care about what a dog needs.
And he certainly does not understand why he was “jailed”
in the worst way, for doing nothing at all.
My name is Timber, I was placed on a chain last summer, and there
I stayed for several months. When the woman from next door, asked
why I was on a chain, my owner replied that since I had dug holes
in the back yard grass, he decided to chain me up. She told him
that if he took me out for daily walks and played with me, I would
most likely forego the digging. She explained some of the reasons
dogs dig – loneliness, boredom, not enough exercise, no toys
to play with, lack of daily walks, etc., and gave him some literature
that explained what dogs need from human companions. The neighbor
tried repeatedly to get my “owner” to let me off the chain,
suggesting he take me for walks, play with me, or even just give
me a name. Sadly, I had been there for a year, and my name was “the
black and white dog.” My owner ignored her, and I stayed on
that chain – bored, lonely, and frustrated.
In early October, I finally escaped! I showed up at the neighbor’s
door with my entire neck ripped open while trying to free myself
from the chain. She called a local Animal Control officer (I somehow
knew she was the one who could help). Kenny was very nice; he took
me to the veterinarian’s office. Because, I am considered property,
and my owner had no prior offenses, he was allowed to reclaim me.
My owner was instructed to keep me off the chain. When he refused
to comply, my local Animal Control agency filed charges against
him.
That is when things began to turn around for me. My owner received
a subpoena to appear in court and he was furious. He called up the
neighbor to yell at her. He blamed her for getting him “in
trouble”. Fortunately for me, she was able to calm him down.
She convinced him to relinquish both my brother and me to her! It
finally happened – I got off that chain, and will never go
back. After a couple of ups and downs, I am now in a truly loving
home. I will always be grateful to all the folks who never gave
up on me. They worked to make sure I found a great place to sleep
at night!
Luckily, Timber had a great ending to a terrible beginning. But
not all dogs are so lucky. Although dogs are “pack animals”
whose well-being relies on socialization and physical activity,
countless dogs across New Mexico and the country are kept in backyards
at the ends of chains, isolated from the companionship and comfort
they long for. This solitary confinement with little exercise or
interaction with humans or others of their own kind can drive dogs
insane. Dogs are naturally social beings who thrive on interaction.
A dog kept chained in one spot for hours, days, months, or even
years, suffers immense psychological damage. An otherwise friendly
and docile dog, when kept continuously chained, becomes neurotic,
unhappy, anxious, and often aggressive.
In addition to Animal Protection of New Mexico and numerous animal
experts, our own US Department of Agriculture issued a statement
in July 1996 against tethering, saying that “Our experience
in enforcing the Animal Welfare Act has led us to conclude that
continuous confinement of dogs by a tether is inhumane. A tether
significantly restricts a dog’s movement. A tether can also
become tangled around or hooked on the dog’s shelter structure
or other objects, further restricting the dog’s movement and
potentially causing injury.”
APNM recommends that all dogs be kept indoors at night, taken on
regular walks, and otherwise provided with adequate attention, food,
water, and veterinary care.
A chained animal is caught in a vicious cycle; frustrated by long
periods of boredom and social isolation, he becomes a neurotic shell
of his former self – further deterring human interaction and
kindness. In the end, the helpless dog can only suffer the frustration
of watching the world go by in isolation – a cruel fate for
what is by nature a highly social animal.
If your dog is an “outside dog,” bring him or her inside
now, for everyone’s sake.
For more information on spreading the word about the cruelty inherent
in chaining dogs, see www.DogsDeserveBetter.com. For questions about
chained dogs, or to get some literature about chained dogs, please
send an email to NoChainedDogs@aol.com. To look up your local county
or municipality animal control ordinance, please go to www.apnm.org.
—Viki
Harrison Elkey is a campaign associate and lobbyist for Animal Protection
of New Mexico and Animal Protection Voters, where she advocates
for the humane treatment of all animals in New Mexico. She is currently
the chair of the Albuquerque Animal Welfare Board. She has been
actively involved in animal advocacy around the country for over
15 years. She and her husband live in Rio Rancho with their companion
dogs and cats, all rescued strays from the streets of New Mexico.
If you have any comments or questions, please contact: VikiElkey@aol.com.
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