Posted
June 25, 2007, 10:47PM
by
emilys
Doggie is dead
The only scientific study of tethering concludes that tethering itself IS NOT a cause of aggression.
The problem is that dogs on chains MAY also be unsocialized and abused in other ways. And also that aggressive dogs are put on chains.
Chaining can be a perfectly humane and appropriate way of containing a dog.
Chaining is not the problem.
The overall picture of how a dog is treated is the issue.
Chaining or tethering a dog is INHUMANE and there is absolutely NO excuse for it. "Containing" a dog (as some may suggest) is an excuse for someone that cannot accept their responsibility for a dog. SOME people forget that humans domesticated dogs and therefore bare the responsibility for their well being.
Unfortunately there are many cruel people in this world, which only give us the drive to work harder and fight more fiercely for what is right.
Often people that abuse animals are the same people that hurt children, commit vicious crimes and have no place in society.
The chain off is a great way to bring awareness to this issue, and maybe those that believe chaining a dog is humane can participate in the event and see if their feelings change.
Posted
June 26, 2007, 3:30AM
by
laura
Hi, Newyorkbloom, Doogie has died. He was well cared for and much loved in his last days and he knew it. He had at least some time off of a chain and in a house with a family.
Also, Emilys, there is no scientific study that concludes tethering itself is not a cause of aggression. Chaining is indeed a problem! The AVMA, USDA and CDC have all concluded as much. And it doesn't take a study to see how cruel and inhumane as well as dangerous chaining is. Read the article above and go to www.dogsdeservebetter.org and www.unchainyourdog.org for more information. Laura
Posted
June 26, 2007, 12:34PM
by
kendra
I was under the impression that chaining is a direct cause of aggression in dogs because the dog who is chained often feels trapped. When an animal feels so threatened that his sympathetic nervous system takes over, he can only choose between two options: flight or fight. Most animals will choose flight, because it is more likely that the animal will survive. However, when a dog is chained, he no longer has "flight" as a choice and, therefore, must resort to "fight." Unfortunately, because chained dogs are usually improperly socialized, they often feel threatened in ordinary situations and will attack people who really meant them no harm, such as children.
Posted
July 01, 2007, 10:11PM
by
ruthy92
emilys 's statement about chaining is not only untrue, it represents the breeder/AKC/puppy mill propaganda platform.
These for-profiteers falsely MISQUOTED an unreliable study in sled dogs by Katharine Houpt, and have twisted this study into a ridiculous and utterly FALSE "defense" of tethering.
(these kinds of deceptive tactics are commonly used by the breeder lobby)
However, here is an interview with Houpt. Houpt believes that 24/7 tethering is wrong, causes problems, and should be limited!
"I got a copy of the study and called one of its authors, veterinarian Katherine A. Houpt. She appears to be the principal investigator. Dr. Houpt told me that her study does not conclude what Susan Fuller (a for-profit breeder) said--that tethering does not hurt dogs.
This animal behaviorist told me that she conducted the study to see whether dogs suffer less when they live on tethers than when they live in pens. The dogs who were tethered 24/7 didn't show any more behavioral signs of stress than the dogs kenneled 24/7. If this study were totally reliable, it would merely show that dogs don't suffer any more when you tie them up permanently than when you lock them in a cage permanently.
But the study is not totally reliable. Even Dr. Houpt and the other researchers admit in the "Conclusion" that the results were thrown off: The penned dogs had been tethered for
years--their whole adult lives. Here they were, suddenly living in pens. They might have appeared to be as stressed as the tethered dogs just because they weren't used to being locked in a cage.
After Dr. Houpt told me that her study doesn't show what Susan Fuller said--that tethering is harmless to dogs--she went on to say it doesn't even show for sure how much the tethered and penned dogs suffered. She only looked at certain behaviors of the dogs--but she did not measure their stress hormone, cortisol.
Dr. Houpt's study also did not take into account the problems dogs run into on a tether that they don't run into when they're penned. For example, some dogs strangle to death on their tethers. Some get tangled up and can't get to shelter or water. Some get attacked by other animals. When you add in all the hazards of chaining, dogs in pens may come out much luckier.
I told Dr. Houpt that her study is being used to discourage tethering limits.
How ironic--because Dr. Houpt personally likes the idea of tethering limits. When I told her that our proposed limit is three hours in 24, she said, "I certainly think that's reasonable."
Dr. Houpt personally believes, "It would be better if all dogs lived in homes." Does this animal behaviorist think that tethering causes animals to suffer? She took off her Cornell University hat and spoke candidly to me, as one person to another. She told me the US Centers for Disease Control study showed that tethered dogs are statistically more likely to kill people. Why would tethering make dogs more deadly? Dr. Houpt postulates that the tethering frustrates the dogs.
Frustration is a form of suffering. So obviously, Dr. Houpt believes tethering causes at least some dogs to suffer. So how can anyone say this scientist proved that it doesn't hurt dogs to be tied up a lot?"
Posted
July 01, 2007, 10:23PM
by
ruthy92
Why does the AKC support chaining? (incredible! but true)
Because the majority of their income comes from registering puppy mill puppies, and many puppy mill breeders chain or force their dogs to live outside caged 24/7
The AKC protects the profit interests of the profiteers to keep the income rolling in for all those breed club activities, dog shows, and other expensive vanities
Is Doogie, the dog pictured - is he OK now?
Hi everyone!! July 1, 2007, at 4323 Bridgewood Rd., Midlothian,Va, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Unchain the 50 is an annual event hosted by Dogs Deserve Better, a non-profit rescue organization, dedicated to educating people against the chaining and penning of dogs outside for life. Richmond Area Representatives, Lisa Hetrick and Cindy Leggett, the Woodbridge, VA Representative, Terra Gilley, Kat Simon of Lite 98.1 along with a host of volunteers, will chain themselves for 8 hours to doghouses in an effort to educate the public of the inhumane and unsafe practice of chaining their pets. “To the Earth”, belly dancers have donated their time and will be performing and teaching at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Come on out and join us!!!
I hope that there is one in Wichita Falls, Texas I'm only eleven, and me and my friend wanted to participate!
I was at today's Unchain the 50 in Kanab and it was really a great turn out. This is such an innovative event to highlight a very serious problem! Tammy Grimes is an animal welfare visionary - giving voice to the silent suffering and making us all much more aware of this commonplace travesty.
Posted
June 30, 2007, 1:5PM
by
kathy_g
puppy_pal_girl_11---
Thank you for wanting to help the chained dogs who may have no one to speak for them in your area!
While I don't know if there is an event being held near you, what you and your friends can do is something that many others are doing-just chain or tether yourselves to a doghouse, tree, or some other object right in your own yard!
This also provides safety for you and your friends, since you will be home-yet it raises awareness for the dogs. :)