Fighting for the Bullies
(and all chained dogs)
by Laura Catterton

I became aware of DDB back in 2004 after moving into our new home near Pensacola, FL just after Hurricane Ivan. After the hurricane blew down part of our fence, I noticed the neighbors behind us had five pit bulls on chains and not just any chains. These were the heavy ones with padlocks! I was shocked as I’d never seen such a pitiful set up in person. I would try to chat with the neighbor and offer to walk the dogs, bring treats, offer to spay/neuter, etc. Instead of saying “thanks”, they sent me a letter saying they’d call the police if I ever threw any treats again and to stay away from them. I was devastated for these dogs. The *owner* rarely talks to his dogs, just feeds and waters them, yet claims he loves them. He increased his fence height to deter me, but of course it didn’t. I’m a pretty good climber and I still throw treats over and under the fence. For the past 5 years, I’ve had to hear the rattling chains and cries of these dogs. Even during tropical storms, the dogs are chained up. I’ve spent many sleepless hours agonizing over their plight, along with the many other chained, neglected dogs in Escambia Co.

After Hurricane Katrina in Aug. 05, I drove to New Orleans to help with animal rescue five times. On my fifth trip, in Nov., I saw an SUV with an anti-chaining sticker on the back. I later found out that she was Tammy Grimes (Now Tamira Thayne), the founder of DDB. We ended up staying at the big FEMA tent and I was thrilled to have met her. Since she was already an inspiration to me, I felt honored to have met her. She was *down in the trenches* with the rest of us!

Shortly after returning from my last trip to New Orleans, I started exploring a very poor neighborhood about 3 miles from my home. I had followed an emaciated, injured, nursing dog wandering on the main road, back into this neighborhood. I saw many chained, neglected dogs living in the area and started photographing them because I wanted folks in Pensacola to see how some dogs are living. They just wouldn’t believe it without documentation! A lot of these chained dogs were scarred, thin pit bulls.

During my trips to New Orleans, I met many wonderful pit bulls and fell in love with the breed. I knew I had to help with the plight of these dogs in my own town. I started calling Animal Control to help me, but sadly, they turned a blind eye to the abuse, neglect, and dog fighting. Our county has no minimum length for tethering and the animal welfare laws on the books are not enforced. It was a rude awakening for me to find out that neglect and abuse was rampant and there was nothing I could do about it. I continued to take pictures of the dogs over the years.

I started volunteering with the Junior Humane Society (www.jrhumanesociety.com) in Pensacola shortly after discovering so many suffering chained dogs. Along the way, I was able to free a few of them and with JHS help, find good homes for them, my home being one of them. I would provide food, water, shelter, treats, meds, etc for some of them, at least the ones whose owners didn’t threaten me.

I’ll always be haunted by the ones I couldn’t get because a few of the Animal Control Officers would rat me out to the abusers, and the dogs would be gone (moved) and I never knew their fate. Some of the dogs would be found dead from dog fighting wounds or other atrocities.

This past summer, a cruelty case involving a chained dog came to light in Pensacola. A chained Newfoundland died from the heat. His chain became entangled in a root and he was unable to reach the water. The dog died in the arms of the Animal Control Officer that came out to investigate the complaint called in by the neighbors. Shockingly, the Sheriff’s Dept. declined to file criminal animal cruelty charges. Animal Control’s hands were tied as they could only file misdemeanor civil charges. Animal Control appealed the case to the State Attorney’s Office and they, too, declined criminal charges, saying there was no intent. How can such blatant cruelty not be prosecuted? This is what we’re up against in one of the poorest counties in FL.

There is an ant-tethering movement afoot here now. We are starting to approach the Escambia County Board of Commissioners to change the ordinances, but I imagine it will take a long time to bring about changes. A good portion of the population sees nothing wrong with chaining, as it’s always been done. I, along with other dedicated animal activists here, will continue to work on behalf of the chained, neglected dogs. We are here to stay!!

Just today, Aug. 25, I found this 5 -6 week old pit pup tethered in the yard of a known dog fighter and dog killer, an 18 year old *thug*. I hope to free this puppy by tomorrow for I know the fate that awaits him if I don’t.

Laura Catterton
Cantonment, FL

I want to help DDB with financial support.