It's funny how easy it is to minimize things that we don't really want to take the time to investigate and analyze. We are all busy in our lives. Parents running around working full time, grocery shopping, carting kids here and there, picking up last minute supplies, meeting with teachers, maintaining the home and transportation. Single people doing the same thing...just not multiplied by as much. They have to endure the stress of (gasp) dating, which I can't even fathom having to find the energy for.
So when we drive by a house and see a dog chained to a tree with a bowl and little else, it is easy to think that it has access to water and the shelter of the tree...surely it must be fine.
But I ask you to stop and think about it for a moment. The length of that tether determines the the amount of world that animal will experience. 3 ft? 4? 6? 8? An eight foot radius. In which to sleep.
Eat.
Defecate.
Urinate.
Eight feet suddenly doesn't seem like much.
It's beginning to turn chilly in our area.
Down to 45 degrees last night.
That dog is still chained to that tree.
In that cold and on that cold ground.
The tree does not offer warmth.
If it rains it will offer little shelter.
Often dogs that are chained have painful sores where the collar rubs. Dogs that are chained are rarely cared for properly. They are ignored for the most part with sporadic feeding, overturned water bowls, and even less interaction with people or other animals. They often become aggressive primarily from the stress of isolation but also because their world is that radius and it's all they have.
What did that dog do to be remanded into isolation?
What happened to make someone think that leaving a living creature chained alone and exposed is ok?
I read an interesting article at the link below. I think the contest should run nationwide. We would see a huge, sweeping change in how we view chained dogs.
The next time you pass a dog on a chain,, think.
Think about the life that dog is experiencing.
I will guarantee you that it did nothing to deserve that sentence.
And if you are moved, file a report with animal control.
Ask that they talk to the owner.
Cities all across America are waking up to this terrible habit and banning dog chaining.
It is about time.
http://www.hsus.org/pets/pets_related_news_and_events/chain_off_2006.html
So when we drive by a house and see a dog chained to a tree with a bowl and little else, it is easy to think that it has access to water and the shelter of the tree...surely it must be fine.
But I ask you to stop and think about it for a moment. The length of that tether determines the the amount of world that animal will experience. 3 ft? 4? 6? 8? An eight foot radius. In which to sleep.
Eat.
Defecate.
Urinate.
Eight feet suddenly doesn't seem like much.
It's beginning to turn chilly in our area.
Down to 45 degrees last night.
That dog is still chained to that tree.
In that cold and on that cold ground.
The tree does not offer warmth.
If it rains it will offer little shelter.
Often dogs that are chained have painful sores where the collar rubs. Dogs that are chained are rarely cared for properly. They are ignored for the most part with sporadic feeding, overturned water bowls, and even less interaction with people or other animals. They often become aggressive primarily from the stress of isolation but also because their world is that radius and it's all they have.
What did that dog do to be remanded into isolation?
What happened to make someone think that leaving a living creature chained alone and exposed is ok?
I read an interesting article at the link below. I think the contest should run nationwide. We would see a huge, sweeping change in how we view chained dogs.
The next time you pass a dog on a chain,, think.
Think about the life that dog is experiencing.
I will guarantee you that it did nothing to deserve that sentence.
And if you are moved, file a report with animal control.
Ask that they talk to the owner.
Cities all across America are waking up to this terrible habit and banning dog chaining.
It is about time.
http://www.hsus.org/pets/pets_related_news_and_events/chain_off_2006.html
Comments
Your first sentence ("It's funny how easy it is to minimize things that we don't really want to take the time to investigate and analyze") perfectly crystalizes why the suffering of these dogs is one of the most overlooked animal welfare issues out there. In some communities chained dogs are so prevailent, people never stop to think of the hideous abuse inherent in the practice. Because chaining is a "process," rather than a particular "event" (like a beating) people simply fail to see how much these dogs suffer.
The agony these dogs endure is so horrific, so overwhelming that if we let ourselves think about it we almost want to shut down. It is just easier to tell ourselves "the dog must be fine" or "surely the owner only puts it on the chain for a little while."
That usually just isn't true.
Please consider getting involved in DDB on any level. Thanks for spreading the word.
Monica
Belmont, California
www.dogsdeservebetter.org