Put yourself in this situation: its cold outside, wet, rainy, and you’re sitting in mud or you’re inside, all bundled up with your hot cocoa and watching a movie. See a difference? Now imagine the same situation for a dog but he can’t get out of his muck since he’s chained down. No way to get more food or water. This is just the start of the problems with chaining an animal. There have be a number of issues with dogs starving, dehydrated or even choking themselves. Especially in Florida, hot weather is the number one concern for people who chain their dogs. These four legged friends of ours can get dehydrated, sunburnt, and even die from heat exhaustion just like we can without the proper care. Yet there are many people who say that it is their right as an owner to leave their dogs out there, because they bought the dog, they bought the land, and it is their property.
Do we allow this issue to go on? Or is it even a problem? What if your dog is a jumper, and hops your fence on a regular basis? It would make sense to tie your dog to the dog house or to a tree for safety purposes, as to prevent him from running away. But what if something happens and your dog chokes himself on that chain? Or what if you leave to run a few errands and someone takes your dog because you left him out in the open, tied up with nowhere to escape to? All of these occurrences, while they seem far-fetched, happen on a daily basis in many communities. Many organizations are trying to pass laws to prevent the tethering of animals, but there are those who fight it. An organization called Dogs Deserve Better (http://dogsdeservebetter.com) has been protesting the tethering of dogs and passing laws to get them off of chains, yet those who oppose them say that they should be allowed to have their dogs tied up in the backyard however long they want to!
So here is the problem, do you think it’s ethical to chain a dog in the backyard or to the tree or even to his doghouse for any period of time? Should chaining your dog simply be outlawed? Should there be a time limit on how long you can leave your dog out unattended or force owners to be present if chained? Is it required that you provide your animal with shelter and food while he is tied up? Current laws either do not have anything to say about tethering your animals, or having “limits” on tethering them. What do you think should be done?
At my house we chain our dog outside but only for maybe 10 minutes three times a day and we do this only because we do not have a fenced in back yard and our community doesn't allow a fence. Chaining your dog outside all day long should be outlawed. If someone argues they have to leave them outside because they don't want them in the house, they should have never bought a dog in the first place! It is wrong to chain up a dog outside, especially in 90 degree weather.
ReplyDeleteIn a different perspective, some people chain their dogs outside but to a dog house which provides shelter, food and water for them. My next door neighboor does that when he goes to work so he doesn't have to worry about the dog messing up his house are if it needs to use the restroom.
ReplyDeleteSome people chain their dogs for the dogs safty. If the dog is chained it cant get loose and run into traffic. My family would chain our dog to prevent it from running into the street. We would always keep food and water out for him and I think it should be against the law to keep your dog outside all day because it is unfair to the animal.
ReplyDeleteIt really depends on the situation whether chaining a dog up is normal or cruel. If someone works during the day and chains their dog in the back yard until they get home from work so the dog isn't miserable in the house that's not cruel at all. In extreme cases like described in this blog where a dog is left out in the freezing cold rain well obviously that is an issue.
ReplyDeleteChaining a dog isn't always unethical. Each dog is an individual, some may truly dislike being chained in any way, and thus, it is cruel to continue to do so. If a dog, with the proper shelter from the elements, water, and food, doesn't mind being chained for part of the day, whats the problem? I feel as long as the owners give an okay amount of attention, and proper facilities, the dog can be chained.
ReplyDeleteI do not believe that chaining a dog is cruel at all, as long as the dog still has food, water, and toys to play with. In fact, they would probably like being outside for a while more than inside because of all the scents and things going on outside. Otherwise, they're locked inside our home with nothing to do for many hours at a time.
ReplyDeleteas for chaining a dog outside all day while you're at work, I don't agree with that at all. What if the dog tries to chase something and ends up choking itself? Or even worse, what if someone comes into your yard and hurts your dog? There's no way for them to protect themselves or to run away if needed.
ReplyDeleteI don't think chaining a dog outside is unethical as long as the dog receives proper nutrition and good living conditions outside. If the contions and nutrition are poor I think there should be action against the owner. A lot of the time dogs love being outside. Even though we don't chain up my dog because we have a fense, she loves when we let her go out back to run around and play. If a dog doesn't like being outside, you shoud be able to tell and would know if you should chain them up outside or not.
ReplyDeleteChaining your dog for a long period of time outside is a horrible way to treat your pet because of this Florida weather. I understand that even if you give it food and water it helps, but the air conditioning is nice every once a while. Also, the chances of a dog choking their self is life threatening and thats a chance some pet owners should never take when their dog is not being watched.
ReplyDeleteA lot of times it can depend on the type of dog. If it is a fairly small dog, then it should definitely be allowed in the house a few times. If it is an aggressive dog like a pitbull, then in the presence of guests or small children it should be tied up to a dog house. Another good way without tying them up is to maybe build a small fence where you can keep the doghouse and space to move.
ReplyDeleteI think that as long as the dog has enough food, water, and shelter, that it is okay for them to be outside. The time limit outside should be at the most 5 or 6 hours, and even less depending on if it is hot outisde like the summer days here in Florida.
ReplyDelete