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| istock |
Chained dogs often endure harsh weather, sub-standard care,
loneliness and boredom. |
Chaining herself to a doghouse for 10 hours isn't how Dawn, of Waldorf, Md., envisioned celebrating the Fourth of July weekend. But when she heard about the "Unchain the 50" event, sponsored by the non-profit group Dogs Deserve Better, she couldn't say no.
"I just knew I had to do it," she said. "I really wanted to participate in this event so I could represent chained dogs. We need to speak for them because they can't speak for themselves."
Dawn isn't alone in her concern for chained pooches—she is one of more than 70 animal lovers across the nation who will chain themselves to doghouses for 8-24 hours between June 30 and July 8.
They're hoping to draw attention to the pooches who spend months, years—even lifetimes—at the end of a chain, enduring harsh conditions, intense boredom and overwhelming loneliness.
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Help Chained Dogs! |
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 Chain Yourself to The Cause: Sign-up to join animal lovers across the nation by chaining yourself to a doghouse for 8-24 hours between June 30th through July 8.
Buy Their Freedom: Bid on items donated by Robin Williams, Johnny Depp, Charlize Theron, Elizabeth Taylor, Dolly Parton and others to benefit Dogs Deserve Better. Hurry—bidding closes on July 10th.
Sponsor: Sponsor or cheer on a participant in your area. Simply look up your state to find out where to find fellow dog lovers. |
"I hope that chaining myself to a doghouse for a day will get more people to stop and think about how much a chained dog suffers," said Dawn, who became animal advocate in December 2005 after watching the HBO documentary "Dealing Dogs." "If I can raise awareness and get people to understand the issue, they'll start speaking out on behalf of chained dogs, and maybe we can get the laws in Maryland changed."
Chaining or tethering an unattended dog, which is considered inhumane and dangerous, is regulated in several states and illegal in many communities.
Dogs who are chained often receive sub-standard care and are deprived of interaction with humans and other animals. Ongoing chaining is physiologically damaging to an animal and cause a dog to become anxious, unhappy and, often, aggressive. (Learn more about dog chaining.)
Dogs Deserve Better has been organizing "chain-off" events to raise awareness about dog chaining for the past four years. Last year's event was a Survivor-like competition during which 11 contestants from around the country competed to win a new car. Aija Gillman a recent high school graduate, ultimately won the competition after 13 grueling days chained to a doghouse.
