UPDATE: Congratulations Nevada! 

SB 132 was signed into law (Chapter 199) on May 26, 2009.

Original Post:

To All Nevada Residents

SB132 (the dog chaining bill) passed both the Senate and the Assembly and is now going to the Governor for signature or veto. This is the last step before the bill becomes law.

Humane Legislation
This bill will restrict the number of hours a dog can be chained to 14 hours per day and require that any tether be at least 12 feet long or allow the dog to move at least 12 feet in one direction if tethered to a pulley.

Email Governor Jim Gibbons
(775) 684-5670

Give reasons and examples
Chose from the list below or share your own. Remember to be always be respectful and avoid being emotional. Talking points provided by Animal Law Coalition.

Explain that it is both cruel and dangerous to chain dogs for long periods. Nevada animal control support this bill. Dogs that are chained for long periods tend to be neglected and can be dangerous, straining animal control resources and endangering the community.

Expert Testimony and Studies Support Bill

1. Franklin D. McMillan, DVM, Dipl ACVIM, and Director of Well-Being Studies for Best Friends has testified in support of the bill. Dr. McMillan cited a study in which researchers compared an animal's response when forced to choose between physical and emotional pain. The dogs overwhelmingly chose to suffer physical pain in order to spare themselves the emotional pain of being separated from people.

Says McMillan, "And while physical suffering gets all the attention, the fact is that emotional suffering in animals can be even more distressing than physical pain."

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—Chained dogs are 5 times more likely to bite children, 3 times more likely to bite adults.

3. National Canine Research Council—Studies show that from 1965 – 2001, 25% of fatal dog attacks were from chained dogs.

4. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine—both chained and penned dogs suffer from similar behavior problems.

5. HSUS—Dogs kept continuously outdoors, chained or penned, will suffer from the same boredom, loneliness and isolation leading to aggressive behavior.

6. Nicholas Dodman, Ph.D. in vet med/Tufts University—“chaining dogs makes them more aggressive. They are natural social animals and it induces ‘isolation-induced aggression’ and creates a ‘junkyard’ dog effect. They basically go mad."

To view a copy of the bill, click here.

*Best Friends Animal Society supports this legislation.

Posted by Cheri Moon, Best Friends staff