Break the
Chain, Unleash the Love
“Man’s best friend” is sometimes considered a cliché but it is
a very true statement. Dogs are loyal,
protective, trusting and forgiving. So
why would you want to keep them on a chain?
You can ride around city streets and even the countryside and see dogs
tethered to a chain 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They get no socialization, no exercise, are vulnerable
to weather conditions and in many cases, injuries can occur. But if they at least have a fence it gives
them area to exercise and can decrease their chances of injury and change their
attitude for the better. Here are some
reasons why:
Dogs are very social animals and need contact with people for
more than a few minutes when their food or water bowl is being filled. Imagine lugging a huge chain around your neck
every day all day. Dogs are pack animals
and want to be a part of your pack. When
they are left alone all the time it can lead to personality problems like
biting. A lot of times they are so
starved for attention that they jump up and down on a person when they are near
them. Many dogs tend to bark quite a bit
because they want to be with their person, but in many cases, they are just
yelled “shut up” to. How would you
feel?
Their exercise is very limited to a circular area around where
they are chained. Dogs need to run and
jump and play. Being chained is a type
of imprisonment for just being a dog. They
knock their food and water bowls over with the chain which can be very
dangerous given a very hot or cold day.
Often times there is very little cover for the animal to get away from
weather. What if you had to be outside
in the blistering heat, freezing cold, rain, sleet, snow?
I am a veterinary technician and have seen what kind of
injuries can happen to a chained dog.
Being on a chain, another dog/dogs or wildlife can come into the chained
dog’s yard and it has nowhere to escape.
Other injuries I have seen include imbedded collars (the collar/chain
has grown into the dog’s neck), chains causing wounds on their leg or body, and
sometimes broken legs where the dog has tried to run with the chain wrapped
around the leg and snapped it in two.
They are also subject to fleas and ticks especially if they are near a
wooded area.
I know a lot of people chain dogs because that's all they know - their family has always done it that way. I volunteer with an organization called The
Coalition to Unchain Dogs and we are hoping to change this mindset. I have seen firsthand the change in a dog’s demeanor
when it goes from being chained to running around in a fence. I have seen them go
from barking and scared to receptive and happy once the chain is removed and
they are released into their new fence.
The Coalition to Unchain Dogs’ mission is to educate people
about the dangers of chaining a dog and to help improve a dog’s life. Dogs love us no matter what and they have no
ulterior motives. I often feel they are
more than what we deserve. Please help improve
the life of a dog on a chain. If you
would like to volunteer your time with The Coalition to Unchain Dogs or learn
more about them, you can go to their web page for more information: www.unchaindogs.net.
We at TVRH are also raising money to build a
fence for a dog in September. We have
T-shirts available for $20.00 a piece or for a donation of any amount, we have
a bracelet that you could wear as supplies last. Our goal is to raise at least $500.00. The dogs that receive a fence are also
provided with vaccines and a mandatory spay or neuter which helps with
population control. Anything you can
give is appreciated. Please make checks
out to Coalition to Unchain Dogs. Together
with your help, we can change the life of a dog. So please help us to break the chain and
unleash the love.
Michele Kendall, RVT
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