Snowball's
Story
As Told by Reporter Audrey Thomassen
Rescued
only to spend a life in chains.
 The
family rescued Snowey 12 years ago when they moved into their mobile
home in State College, Pennsylvania. It seems a neighbor was abusing
the one-year-old white shepherd-mix, hitting the dog in the face
with a weed whacker and trying to run him down with a lawnmower.
Snowey’s only safe haven was the old doghouse where he was
tethered day and night. When the abusive owners had to relocate,
they decided to shoot Snowey, but the new neighbors stepped in and
offered to take him.
Snowey’s
new family tried to bring him into the house, but the dog—displaying
the typical signs of abuse—cowered at the door and whined to
go back to the only place he knew, his doghouse. The family determined
he preferred staying outside and kept him there, tethered to his
little house where he has lived for the past 12 years.
 Because
the doghouse is located on the side of a steep slope, Snowey’s
activity is confined to the small area at the side and behind the
box. Throughout the seasons—in temperatures ranging from below
zero in winter to 90-plus on humid summer days—Snowey can be
seen from the parking lot of a pizza shop below, all hunched over,
one bad eye and scars on his face. This past winter was an especially
rough one for Snowey. That poor old dog was seen waging a losing
battle with the icy slope, sliding down the hill while the tethered
chain held him by the neck.
Over
the years, there have been numerous calls to the local SPCA official
complaining about the dog’s situation, with little results.
When one woman started making regular visits to the site and documenting
conditions, she had to bypass the local SPCA office to get some
action. A state official visited the owners and immediately things
improved for Snowey, including clean-up of the dog and area, new
straw bedding, a bowl of fresh water and vaccinations. According
to his veterinarian, despite the arthritis in his back and legs,
the 13 year old dog is in good physical condition for what would
be 90 in human years. Snowey’s scarred face and blind eye were
determined to be old injuries from his early abuse from the weed
whacker.
 According
to a state official, Pennsylvania laws are vague and loosely written,
leaving interpretation to the discretion of the county SPCA official.
“The
dog is chained 24/7,” said Centre County SPCA Director, John
Matrisciano. “It’s not how I would treat my dog, but there
is no law that says you have to love your dog. There’s a million
other dogs in those same conditions. That dog is so old it’s
too late to save him,” he added. Matrisciano claims he has
done all he can.
His
attitude frustrated local animal lovers. To call attention to the
plight of Snowey and other tethered and confined dogs, they called
in Tammy Grimes, founder of Dogs Deserve Better, a group dedicated
to freeing chained dogs and last year’s first place recipient
of the ASPCA’s Pet Protector Award. For 33 hours over July
fourth weekend, Grimes chained herself to a doghouse at the bottom
of Snowey’s slope, declaring it Independence Day for dogs.
“Dogs,
like people, are social animals,” Grimes said. “They crave
contact with humans and other dogs. Being stuck outside alone is
like being a prisoner of war—only dogs are not our enemies,
there is no war, and they are never going to be set free.”
Animal
experts at the Humane Society of the United States claim the practice
is inhumane. Studies show chained dogs rarely receive even the most
basic needs. They suffer from sporadic feedings, overturned water
bowls, living in their own feces, inadequate veterinary care and
extreme temperatures. Most rarely receive any affection from their
owners who easily fall into the “out of sight, out of mind”
mentality.
Naturally
protective of their territory, dogs will respond to a perceived
threat with a fight or flight instinct. A chained dog, unable to
take flight, often feels forced to fight any unfamiliar animal or
person who unwittingly wanders into his area. Lonely and deprived
of adequate exercise, many suffer psychological damage becoming
neurotic and difficult to approach and should the animal break free,
he may remain aggressive and chase or attack passersby.
While
owners may feel chaining is a way to keep a pet safe, it is not.
The line may become tangled or hooked around objects and can cause
injury or choke the dog. Additionally, chained dogs are easy targets
for other animals, biting insects, harassment by insensitive humans,
and thieves looking to steal animals for sale to research labs or
as training fodder for dog fights.
In
order for a pet to become a well-adjusted companion, HSUS experts
say it is an owner’s responsibility to provide adequate attention
and socialization with people and other dogs. They advocate all
dogs be kept indoors at night, taken on regular walks and provided
food, fresh water and veterinary care. If a dog must be kept outside,
he should be placed in a fenced area with suitable exercise space
and shelter from the elements.
According
to Grimes, rehabilitating a dog from chains or abuse can require
tremendous commitment and take time and patience. Because their
emotional growth has been stunted, a dog may fluctuate between fear/aggression
and huge amounts of affection and neediness. Helping pets overcome
fears while building their confidence takes gradual systematic steps.
Learn more about rehabilitating chained dogs or read a log of Grimes
‘Chain-Off’ at www.dogsdeservebetter.com.
Snowey’s
owners say he was moved away from prying eyes to a friend’s
home in the country where they visit him daily and he can live out
his life in peace. He is still chained.
To
reach Audrey Thomasson, e-mail her at animaltails@direcway.com.
**Tammy's
Note: I often hear from those who chain/pen that they 'rescued'
the dog. This can be particularly frustrating, because the dog is
still in need of rescue! Please, continue to educate and change
laws, so this cannot happen to dogs like Snowball. He's still out
there, and he deserves better.
To
get posters based on Snowball's plight, click
here.
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