By Brian Sodergren
In 1995, Gainesville, Florida was selected by Money
magazine as the best place to live in America; it's a town of
110,000 people who enjoy the benefits of a mild climate, the
area's natural beauty, an excellent health-care system, and a
major university. But a group of students from that school, the
University of Florida, believes the city can improve on its
seemingly spotless record with one simple act: Educating
citizens about the dangers of chaining and tethering dogs.
The Animal Activists of Alachua (AAA), the not-for-profit
student group based in Alachua County, took to the streets of
downtown Gainesville on Saturday, February 8, to do that very
thing: Spread the word about chaining and tethering.
Creeping along in their bright yellow van equipped with
televisions that played messages about responsible pet care,
the group approached houses where dogs were chained. Volunteers
passed out Valentine's Day packages containing informational
brochures to educate the people who were doing the chaining, as
well as straw and vegetarian treats for the dogs who spend
their time at the end of a tether. The group also had vegan
candy treats for curious kids.
AAA's Vice President and Co-founder, Melinda Fox, said that
everyone in the community seemed truly appreciative of their
efforts, a response she attributes to the group's upbeat and
friendly approach.
"We wanted to approach the problem in a positive manner,"
she said. "We wanted to educate the public and give the dogs
and kids in the neighborhood a treat, while at the same time
answer any questions, raise awareness, and help make things
better. People seemed to be really turned on that we weren't
just armchair activists. We were in their space and
communicating with them, petting their dogs. We were coming as
positive community members who wanted to help, and people liked
that approach. Even if it made some of them review how they
keep their dogs chained or outside in the cold, no one thought
we were doing it because we were superior."
The neighborhood education campaign came about because of
the emotional stress that students suffered from seeing dogs
chained up day-in and day-out, Fox added. The event also
coincided with other animal groups' efforts to focus attention
on the chaining and tethering issue this month.
"To become well-adjusted companion animals, dogs should
interact regularly with people and other animals, and should
receive regular exercise," says Stephanie Shain, Director of
Companion Animal Outreach for The HSUS. "It is an owner's
responsibility to properly restrain her dog, just as it is her
responsibility to provide adequate attention and socialization.
Placing an animal on a restraint to get fresh air can be
acceptable if it is done for a short period; however, keeping
an animal tethered for long periods is never acceptable.
"Chaining or tethering a dog for long durations is both
inhumane and a threat to the safety of the confined dog, other
animals, and humans," Shain adds. "Dogs are naturally social
beings who thrive on interaction with humans and other animals.
A dog kept chained in one spot for hours, days, months, or even
years can suffer immense psychological damage."
As an example, Shain notes that an otherwise friendly and
docile dog, when kept continuously chained, can become
neurotic, unhappy, anxious, and often aggressive. Dogs tethered
for long periods can also become highly aggressive.
While Gainesville has ordinances that regulate only the
weight and length of a tether, more than 25 other communities
have laws that regulate the time an animal can be
tethered—prohibitions, for instance, such as tethering dogs for
more than eight hours in a 24-hour period. Some communities
even have outright bans on the chaining or tethering of dogs as
a means of continuous confinement.
While Fox encourages other groups to get involved, she
offers a few caveats to make things go smoothly.
"Contact a group that has done it. Talk with them and gain
from their experience," she says. "Don't be afraid of
integrating your values into your community by being positive.
It's one thing to talk about things, but it's another to act on
it."
Do It Yourself Kit
Want to start your own education campaign against tethering?
For just $1, you can purchase 50 copies of Do You Chain Your
Dog?, a flyer designed to educate people who chain their
dogs about the dangers of tethering and the needs of dogs who
spend time tied up outdoors. (Follow the link below to view the
flyer.) Simply send your request, with a check made payable to
The HSUS, to:
HSUS Dept: Tethering Flyer
2100 L Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20037-1598
Brian Sodergren is an Issues
Specialist in The HSUS's Companion Animals Outreach
section.
