Over 200,000 dogs live empty lives chained up or tethered outside

SALEM -- Everyone's seen them -- or at least heard them. Dogs chained up for hours outside, barking their heads off.

Carlson said animal control usually gets a couple of calls a week about dogs chained up outside, and even more when it's raining. With the new law, he expects the number of calls to increase.

When threatened, all dogs have the natural instinct to fight or flee. This defensive reaction is common to all animals. When you tether or chain a dog up outside, you are eliminating the ability for flight, and are leaving no other option but to build the fight instinct. This usually builds aggressiveness in the dog. Of the approximately 25 fatalities caused by dogs in the USA annually, many of these dogs were left isolated and tethered outside. Almost half of these fatalities were children under the age of 12. Unfortunately kids playing in neighborhoods often are the targeted victims of dogs that are tethered. As the children scream and yell during play, the dogs get “loaded” up. It usually only takes a short time before the dog is lunging at every child that runs by the yard. When the dog breaks the tether or escapes off the chain, the child is the first target.

NEVER TIE OR CHAIN YOUR DOG UP OUTSIDE ban, making it illegal to leave a dog tied up or chained outside.

By nature, dogs are social animals and thrive on interaction with humans and other dogs. Unfortunately approximately 200,000 dogs are left tethered outside by themselves everyday in the USA. This inhumane treatment causes otherwise friendly and happy dogs to become bored and lonely which often leads to the development of aggressive behaviors. We need to all do something to stop this treatment of dogs in America. Fortunately, progress is starting to be made. In June of this year (2013) Oregon passed a new law that prohibits dog owners from tethering or chaining dogs up outside. We need to continue to make such progress in other states.In March for the city of Atlanta, a bill was unanimously passed that makes it illegal to chain or tether your dog up outside. It goes into effect on September 4, 2009, so owners have a six month grace period to adjust to the new law. Some owners constructed fences or pens for their dogs, but there are still a lot of dogs living on the end of chains.So next time you see a dog chained up outside in your neighborhood….say something! It may actually prevent an injury and will also make the dog’s life much happier.A covered chain-link kennel, erected over a concrete slab, most safely contains the dog who must stay at home (but outside) when his owner is gone. The dog should have a warm dog house, soft cushion, toys, and an ample supply of fresh water.