UNCHAIN YOUR HOUND…BABY SET ME FREE.

As I’ve often barked, there are good dog laws and not so good laws. Here’s an example of a good one that humans with our best interests in mind and in heart are working to get enacted throughout the land.

Basically, this law prohibits the chaining, tying, fastening or otherwise tethering of dogs (and cats!) to dog houses, trees, fences or other stationary objects as a means of confinement to property.

For those who not aware of "chaining" or "tethering", these terms refer to the practice of fastening a dog to a stationary object or stake, usually in the owner's backyard, as a means of keeping the animal under control – they do not refer to periods when an animal is on-leash being walked. And, for those who may think “what’s the big deal”, the practice is judged inhumane by The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), numerous animal experts and the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and to pose a threat to the safety of the confined dog, other animals, and humans.

Anti-chaining/tethering laws are already in force in a number of places including Okaloosa County, FL, Lawton, OK, Carthage, MO and Wildwood Crest, NJ where “Joe’s Law” was passed, dedicated to a boxer who froze to death after being left chained in a yard for several days during the winter. And, Julie Lewin, President of Animal Advocacy Connecticut, founder of the National Institute for Animal Advocacy, and advisor to Dogs Deserve Better (DDB) recently lobbied for and got the first state law prohibiting continuous chaining of dogs in Connecticut.

Even so, more work is needed to get anti-chaining/tethering laws passed. So, please visit DDB, “a nonprofit organization dedicated to freeing the chained dog, and bringing our 'best friend' into the home and family” at http://www.dogsdeservebetter.com/home.html. There you’ll find information to help you get involved. After all, we dogs do a lot to make the world a better place for humans… please help those of us who aren’t free to help you!