posted January 5, 2009
I am writing about an issue that has gone unaddressed for too long, that of the perpetually chained or penned, so-called outside or backyard dog. There is no sadder sight than these outcast, forlorn, forgotten animals, relegated to the status of lawn ornaments and virtually ignored by the family.
Many chained or penned dogs are seriously neglected. They lack fresh, unfrozen water, adequate housing, hygiene and the most basic veterinary care, including vaccinations required by law. Every winter such dogs are found frozen to death. At other times of the year they may be left to starve until they die.
Chaining is not only inhumane for dogs, but has taken a severe toll on this nation's children. In the period from October 2003 through September 2008, there have been at least 231 children killed or seriously injured by chained dogs across the country. Chained dogs, unsocialized with humans, can become very territorial of their tiny space, and any two year old who wanders into this space can be attacked and killed before adults can intervene.
One attack in July of 2007 led to the death of a five-year-old with Down's Syndrome near Atlanta. The child was attacked and killed by a rottie mix chained behind the house of a next-door neighbor. Furthermore, researchers are confirming the link between animal abuse and neglect and abuse and neglect of children and perpetration of future crimes. Austria is the latest nation to ban the chaining of dogs, completely prohibiting the practice. Connecticut is the first state in the nation to limit chaining; California and Texas have also set time limits on chaining. There are over 120 communities or counties in at least 35 states with limits on chaining. Our state or city needs to be a part of this growing movement to eliminate chaining of dogs.
DeAnna Akers
DDBChatt@rctg.net
* * *
I sit here writing this while enduring the nonstop barking of the chained, neglected, ignored dogs next door.
I cannot understand how the owners of these dogs can stand to be in their home, either asleep or awake. The constant barking is maddening.
Are these people so shallow as to not care about their neighbors? Are they so inhumane as to not worry about the poor creatures in their backyard?
Several times a week I go out at night with a light in hand, as I check on these dogs that are barking so ferociously. One does not know if it is a human intruder, some small creature pestering the dogs or worse yet, one of the many coyotes in this area seeking an easy, though noisy late night meal.
Can you imagine the horror, the fear of these defenseless so called pets, chained to a tree, or trapped in a fenced lot, by a fence they cannot jump, but a predator of the night can. These animals are defenseless. Their food is tossed and scattered about, essentially bait for a predator or vermin. Imagine that dog, starved, short chained and rat consuming your food and eying you as the hunger spreads. No wonder these poor dogs howl the nights away.
I watch out for these poor creatures as best I can. I give them food and something as important, a kind word, a soft touch.
I lost my companion last July, my heart aches as I watch these poor creatures next door suffer. Perhaps I judge cruelly, as my companion never wanted for food, water, shelter or love. My companion was not regulated to a life of existence on the end of a chain, or penned in a yard. My companion was always at my side. I did not have to protect her from predators or the elements. She was always silent, except for a fierce bark just before biting. She was my protector. The bond between my companion and myself was as strong as any, she gave unconditional love.
If only the people next door would open the door to their home and heart, they too could find this same feeling and something as cherished. Silence at night.
Dwayne Cales
Hixson
heardacry@yahoo.com
* * *
I, too, am disgusted by the treatment of chained dogs. My neighbor is also one of the offenders of this practice, and when I moved in next door to him, he had the gall to tell me how he has "rescued" dogs that are mistreated and brought them home, only to chain them in his yard. What kind of a mental deficiency do you have to have to believe this is appropriate treatment for man’s best friend?
My dogs, all four of them, that were adopted from the pound, are treated better than most kids. They want for nothing, food, water, toys, space to run, and most importantly lots of love from my wife, three kids and I. They sleep in our beds, and would gladly die for any one of us in the case of a dangerous situation.
Tennessee should pass a chain-law and enforce this. I for one would spend countless hours driving around documenting the violators to save these poor animals.
Erik Almy
Chattanooga
* * *
I live in northwest Georgia and am virtually surrounded by neighbors with chained, fenced dogs that bark, bark, bark. Some owners (without principles of ownership) have several dogs in a fenced backyard that fight continuously.
One neighbor had very large dogs that he let out of his home on occasion (for exercise I am sure). They ran through the neighborhood barking, growling, confronting people, and dropping feces everywhere. The owner told animal control that his dogs could go “anywhere they wanted to.” Local animal control visited the owner several times and the problem seems okay for now.
My neighbor across the street has a dog that barks throughout the day and evening. Whenever you go outside the dog barks. You can't have a conversation or enjoy your own yard. Yes, I talked with her about a bark collar (even offered to buy her one) or a muzzle that still allows the dog to drink. No deal. She takes the dog in at night to avoid the local ordinance about barking past a certain time. I am guessing that the law assumes people only sleep or want quiet at night?
I know a lady in Hixson whose home is also surrounded by neighbors with barking dogs. Some of them are chained or fenced and they bark, bark, bark. Mostly evenings and night. Did she call 311 before McKamey Animal Center? She did, no resolution. According to a conversation I had with one of her neighbors with a barking dog, 311 sided with him. His story to 311? “'Other” barking dogs make his dog bark. I am guessing that he is therefore relieved of the responsibility of reporting the “other” dogs or using a bark collar/muzzle to train his dog?
And what about 311? The other barking dogs were within eyesight of his house in a cage. Did 311 visit that owner? Who knows? The dogs still bark. The next step was to call the police at 0200 or 0400 when the dog(s) had barked all night and she was unable to sleep. The Chattanooga city police came out, made a report, asked about 311, etc. Results? The lady is now branded a whiner or weirdo by the police. She found this out from a neighbor who told her about comments made by police officers to them while in the area on another call. So the police take the time to tell others in the area that this lady is at fault for trying to deal with an issue that so many people face without resolution.
Recently she recorded a barking dog from her window. Twenty minutes of constant barking after 11:30 p.m. She called McKamey Animal Center the next day and they told her to submit the recording and the address of the owner of the dog to them. They also asked her if she was willing to testify in court if they could not convince the owner to rectify the problem. She said she would but that would mean that she would have to take her time away from work to do so. She told me that they were very helpful and concerned.
So what is the problem with that plan? She would virtually have to search the surrounding property at night to locate the exact address of the offending dog/owner. Out at night with a flashlight, searching the neighborhood, maybe going onto other peoples property? That’s not a good formula.
It seems that there is no real authority in place to deal with a very common civic problem. Irresponsible pet owners and the disruption that their neglected/untrained/unrestrained pets cause to the rest of us. What to do? I am sure some of the readers are wondering if me or my friend are pet owners. I won't leave you hanging. We both own and have owned rescue animals (dogs) that are trained, taken for walks for exercise and to relieve themselves, and only bark when strangers enter our homes. They do not bark when other dogs do so. They know better. They are trained. They are loved and taken care of and do not need to bark because they are scared or lonely or neglected. We decided to have pets and be responsible for them.
I have raised two children to responsible adulthood also. Wonder what the children of the irresponsible pet owners are like? I am betting that they are a drain on society also.
Ted Ladd
Rossville
| Dining Out | Business | Movies | Focus | About Us |
| Church | Living Well | Memories | Outdoors | Real Estate | Student Scene | Travel |
