PETA URGES JACKSONVILLE TO ADOPT ORDINANCE TO BAN CHAINING DOGS

PETA.org ^ | August 10, 2005

[Asphalt]

Jacksonville, Fla.--- This morning, PETA sent an urgent letter to Jacksonville City Council President Kevin Hyde and his fellow councilors, urging them to follow the lead of more than 70 other jurisdictions across the country—including Orange County, Hollywood, and Dania Beach, Fla.—and ban or restrict the chaining of dogs. The appeal follows the reported August 3 discovery of two malnourished dogs abandoned in Jacksonville whose chains had become embedded in their flesh.

Chained dogs are forced to endure weather extremes and spend their entire lives eating, sleeping, and eliminating in the same few square feet of space. Chained dogs are defenseless, making them easy targets for thieves, dogfighters, cruel teenagers, and neighbors annoyed by their barking.

What’s more, chaining highly social pack animals, who need companionship and room to run, is cruel because it deprives them of the social interaction they need and can make them aggressive. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that chained dogs are nearly three times more likely to attack than dogs who are not kept tethered. PETA maintains an extensive file on children who have been mauled or killed after wandering into chained dogs’ reach, including a Jacksonville girl who was attacked in February. In 2002, chained dogs killed more American children between the ages of one and nine than did falls from playground equipment or trees and fireworks accidents combined, and they killed as many kids as did gun accidents.

"Dogs are members of the family and deserve better than to be chained up like bicycles," says PETA Cruelty Caseworker Dan Paden. "Jacksonville officials will do a good deed for their constituents and for dogs by banning this cruel, dangerous practice."

PETA’s letter to City Council President Kevin Hyde and the City Council follows. For more information, please visit HelpingAnimals.com.

August 10, 2005

The Honorable Kevin Hyde, City Council President Jacksonville City Council 117 W. Duval St., Ste. 425 Jacksonville, FL 32202

Dear Mr. Hyde and Councilors:

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is the world’s largest animal rights organization, with more than 850,000 members and supporters worldwide. We have received a number of calls regarding authorities’ reported August 3 discovery of two malnourished dogs chained at an abandoned Jacksonville home. According to news sources, the chains had become embedded in the animals’ flesh. The dogs are now recovering in the care of their rescuers and have since been named Pablo and Precious.

Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. Dogs kept chained are often as deprived of food, water, shelter, and care as they are of proper socialization. Would you please consider passing an ordinance that would severely restrict or altogether ban the cruel, dangerous practice of tethering dogs? Please find enclosed for your review statements from Wichita, Kan., Animal Control, Tucson, Ariz.’s City Attorney’s Office, and the Washington Humane Society regarding the success of their tethering ordinances.

Chaining is detrimental to the physical well-being of any animal. In addition to hanging or choking to death after becoming entangled or leaping fences, many dogs left to fend for themselves at the end of a chain fall prey to attacks by other animals or cruel people. They die of heatstroke throughout the summer and succumb to exposure during the winter.

Additionally, dogs are highly social animals who crave companionship. Forcing them to live in semi-isolation robs them of essential interaction with other dogs and praise from their human families. Chained dogs are thus frustrated animals who grow more territorial by the day, deprived of their ability and instinctual need to flee perceived threats. It’s no surprise that chained dogs maul or kill people every week. Dog attacks are a serious public safety issue, and the worst victimized are often young children. In the past year alone, at least 33 American children have been severely injured or killed by chained dogs, including a 4-year-old Jacksonville girl this past February.

Tethering dogs is an animal- and public-welfare hazard. More than 70 jurisdictions—including Orange County and the cities of Hollywood and Dania Beach, just last month—have recognized the dangerous consequences of chaining dogs and have passed laws addressing this practice (please see http://www.HelpingAnimals.com/a-tether.html for a complete list). On behalf of our membership in Florida, we urge Jacksonville to take such an initiative to protect the city and its animals. Please let us know how we can help.

[ecurbh]

Ping.

[HairOfTheDog]

Lord, what next?

More press releases?

You know, PETA urges a lot of things. I'm not going to get worked up about what they say till they convince someone to act on it.

By posting things from their website as if it's actual news, you're only giving them an image of effectiveness.

[MotleyGirl70]

The appeal follows the reported August 3 discovery of two malnourished dogs abandoned in Jacksonville whose chains had become embedded in their flesh.

Stopped reading right there.

[higgmeister]

I'd rather ban reproduction of knuckleheaded idiots that mistreat their dogs!

[grellis]

I can't count the number of dogs here in my 'hood that are left on their chains, around the clock, 24/7/365. One doesn't need to "camp out" to know that many of these dogs are never, ever taken inside, nor are they taken out for walks. All I have to do is ask the folks next door to the dogs if they've ever witnessed them being treated as pets. I have asked. They're not. Some of us in the area have asked Animal Control to look into some of the really bad cases. AC has looked, but as long as the dog has water, food, and a sad excuse for shelter, it is not considered abuse. Great life for a dog.

[najida]

Thanks...

I thought it was just a Southern thing, but I see it's where you are too.

[pageonetoo]

So, everyone here agrees that it is a kind thing to do to a dog... place a chain around his neck, so he can run, and snap his neck, a few times...

It's just my opinion, but any a..hole that has to keep a dog on a chain, does not need a dog! Unfortunately, there are just as many abused dogs, as kids, and abortions. They represent the same mentality, to me, though I still considedr a dog, as a dog...

If you want a dog, give it what it needs. I have a dalmation, and he runs 15-25 miles A DAY. I take him to the woods, where he can run and run and run... and he comes home to rest, not destroy the house!

He is also a guard dog, and responds to voice and hand commands. I took the time to help him learn, and I learned, as well. I found out how good a dog can be.

Most people treat their pets like family members. Unfortunately, some family memebers aren't loved, or understood. You have a choice, with the dog...

See Spot run!

[Asphalt]

Hmm

In a way I see your point, but still. Some people have really bouncy dogs that aren't necessarily bad but just need to run around. If they don't keep them on the chain the dog will just bolt, not because it doesn't like its owners, just because it wants to run and can't. If you are in the city you don't have much choice, if the dog gets out it could easily get run over.

[pageonetoo]

Thank you for confirming my opinion. The dog wants to run. They comne wired that way..

ANY owner that chains him is a jerk. They're not the same kind, as the one the dogs neck continually gets. Instead, I believe it reveals the people who really have no heart. Their only thought is themselves. We all know that a dog will love his master/mistress, even when he gets beaten every time they appear. He always hopes it will be different this time...

Chains are for selfish people, not for dogs!

[Asphalt]

There are people that have dogs that are chained. The dog doesn't get fed much, the dog doesn't get exercised etc. As far as these people go, you are correct.

There are also people that love their dogs but that have to keep their animals chained. Usually out of necessity. If you live in a house with a very small yard or in the middle of a city it would be dangerous not to have your dog chained up as it could easily wander off and get killed or stolen. I think that so long as the animal is walked and gets fed plenty it is okay to chain them. They are usually perfectl y happy with this so long as they get walked and get lots of food and things to gnaw on.

[shattered]

Personally, I don't believe that dogs should be chained. There are many alternatives and really, if you can't afford to take humane care of an animal you should do without.

Being conservative doesn't mean that you don't care about the well-being of animals as well.

[pageonetoo]

There are also people that love their dogs but that have to keep their animals chained.

They love themselves, not the dog. They want the pleasure, without the responsibility it requires.

I despise PETA, but this idea has wings of mercy, and caring, for dogs...

[Asphalt]

so you think there is ZERO reasons to have a dog chained?

[pageonetoo]

Would you like to keep a chain on your child, for any length of time, for any reason.

I hope I have a fair understanding of life, and I do believe it is CRUEL! No, I can think of no reasonable person, who would chain a dog, but for their own selfish reasons...

[Asphalt]

Would you like to keep a chain on your child, for any length of time, for any reason.

Dogs are not children

[JLO]

That is a great post and what a super action photo!

[pageonetoo]

Dogs are not children

I stated that, above. I have five children, and four grandchildren.

HOWEVER, most people that have dogs, refer to them as their children, and if you have owned a dog (or vice versa), you will know how quickly they become part of the family. It's their nature.

I just don't understand where any REASONABLE person would place a dog on a chain, and think that it was a compassionate thing to do. It is cruel. All the dog needs is love, and exercise, of the proper sort. A few treats, along the way, doesn't hurt...

Spot agrees...

[HiTech RedNeck]

Oh good grief, the problem here is that the dogs were neglected.

[HiTech RedNeck]

If the dog can't get into its house or other suitable shelter, or to its food and water, it's a problem. If it's simply to keep the dog from getting off the property, it's NOT a problem.