The Facts About Chaining and Tethering
Why this practice is cruel to dogs
Have you seen chained dogs in your neighborhood and wondered whether leaving a dog outside is humane? Here are some frequently asked questions about chaining and tethering dogs and why it's considered inhumane.
Why is tethering dogs inhumane?
Dogs are naturally social beings who thrive on interaction with human beings and other animals. A dog kept chained in one spot for hours, days, months or even years suffers immense psychological damage. An otherwise friendly and docile dog, when kept continuously chained, becomes neurotic, unhappy, anxious and often aggressive.
In many cases, the necks of chained dogs become raw and covered with sores, the result of improperly fitted collars and the dogs' constant yanking and straining to escape confinement. Dogs have even been found with collars embedded in their necks, the result of years of neglect at the end of a chain.
Who says tethering dogs is inhumane?
In addition to The Humane Society of the United States and numerous animal experts, the U. S. Department of Agriculture issued a statement in the July 2, 1996, Federal Register against tethering:
"Our experience in enforcing the Animal Welfare Act has led us to conclude that continuous confinement of dogs by a tether is inhumane. A tether significantly restricts a dog's movement. A tether can also become tangled around or hooked on the dog's shelter structure or other objects, further restricting the dog's movement and potentially causing injury."
How does tethering or chaining dogs pose a danger to humans?
Dogs tethered for long periods can become highly aggressive. Dogs feel naturally protective of their territory; when confronted with a perceived threat, they respond according to their fight-or-flight instinct. A chained dog, unable to take flight, often feels forced to fight, attacking any unfamiliar animal or person who unwittingly wanders into his or her territory.
Numerous attacks on people by tethered dogs have been documented. Tragically, the victims of such attacks are often children who are unaware of the chained dog's presence until it is too late. Furthermore, a tethered dog who finally does get loose from his chains may remain aggressive, and is likely to chase and attack unsuspecting passersby and pets.
Why is tethering dangerous to dogs?
In addition to the psychological damage wrought by continuous chaining, dogs forced to live on a chain make easy targets for other animals, humans, and biting insects. A chained animal may suffer harassment and teasing from insensitive humans, stinging bites from insects, and, in the worst cases, attacks by other animals. Chained dogs are also easy targets for thieves looking to steal animals for sale to research institutions or to be used as training fodder for organized animal fights. Finally, dogs' tethers can become entangled with other objects, which can choke or strangle the dogs to death.
Are these dogs dangerous to other animals?
In some instances, yes. Any other animal that comes into their area of confinement is in jeopardy. Cats, rabbits, smaller dogs and others may enter the area when the tethered dog is asleep and then be fiercely attacked when the dog awakens.
How else can people confine dogs?
The HSUS (Humane Society of the U.S.) recommends that all dogs live indoors as a part of the family, are taken on regular walks, and otherwise provided with adequate attention, food, water and veterinary care. If an animal must be housed outside at certain times, he should be placed in a suitable pen with adequate square footage and shelter from the elements.
Should chaining or tethering ever be allowed?
To become well-adjusted companion animals, dogs should interact regularly with people and other animals, and should receive regular exercise. It is an owner's responsibility to properly restrain her dog, just as it is the owner's responsibility to provide adequate attention and socialization. Placing an animal on a restraint to get fresh air can be acceptable if it is done for a short period or while supervised. However, keeping an animal tethered for long periods is never acceptable.
If a dog is chained or tethered for a period of time, can it be done humanely?
Animals who must be kept on a tether should be secured in such a way that the tether cannot become entangled with other objects. Collars used to attach an animal should be comfortable and properly fitted; choke chains should never be used. Restraints should allow the animal to move about and lie down comfortably. Animals should never be tethered during natural disasters such as floods, fires, tornadoes, hurricanes, or blizzards.
What about attaching a dog's leash to a "pulley run"?
Attaching a dog's leash to a long line—such as a clothesline or a manufactured device known as a pulley run—and letting the animal have a larger area in which to explore is preferable to tethering the dog to a stationary object. However, many of the same problems associated with tethering still apply, including attacks on or by other animals, lack of socialization and safety.
Canine distemper is a paramyxovirus, which appears very similar to the paramyxovirus causing human measles. Canine distemper virus in the dog can affect a wide range of organs including the skin, brain, eyes, intestinal and respiratory tracts. The virus is transmitted through the air through coughing by infected animals and also through body secretions such as urine. Dogs of any age can be affected; however, most are puppies less than 6 months of age.
What are the symptoms?
Distemper virus can affect many systems of the body. The most common signs are nasal and eye discharge, coughing, diarrhea, vomiting, fever that may come and go, and seizures. Mildly affected dogs may only cough and be misdiagnosed as having "kennel cough." Others may develop pneumonia. Puppies that recover may have severe tooth enamel damage. The nose and foot pads of the young dog may become thickened, hence the nickname "hardpad disease."
What are the risks?
Distemper is serious and can spread rapidly through a kennel, especially if unvaccinated individuals are present. Not all patients will die, however, a significant number may. Dogs of every age are susceptible, however, the very young and old have the highest death rate. Death rates may be as high as 75%. It is erroneously believed by some that all older dogs have a natural immunity. Although some may have immunity, many do not. Patients that recover from distemper may suffer permanent damage to vision as well as the nervous system. Puppies which recover can have severely mottled teeth due to abnormalities of the developing enamel.
How is canine distemper diagnosed?
There are several methods used to diagnose distemper in dogs and puppies. A polymerase chain reaction test (a laboratory test) can be performed on samples of urine, cerebrospinal fluid, urine, blood, and post mortem tissues. Skin biopsies, including the pads, can be specially examined for the presence of portions of the canine distemper virus. Depending upon the severity and time of infection, blood examined microscopically may show characteristic changes called "canine distemper inclusion bodies". With some diagnostic tests, such as antibody tests, it is difficult, if not impossible, to distinguish between infection and the changes normally seen with canine distemper vaccination.
How is canine distemper treated and prevented?
There is no specific treatment for canine distemper. Therapy is largely supportive. Intravenous fluids are administered to prevent dehydration. Anti-seizure medications can be used if neurologic signs develop.
Excellent vaccines have been developed to prevent canine distemper in dogs. The vaccines have been widely used for many years and have made significant strides in reducing the frequency of this disease. In the past, vaccines comprised of the human measles virus were occasionally utilized as a preventive. Using measles vaccines is a seldom practiced procedure today.
Excellent vaccines with minimal side effects are available to give to puppies and dogs of every age. It must be emphasized that many older dogs do not develop a life long immunity to distemper. The vaccinations should be boostered for the life of the animal. Animals disgnosed with or suspected of having canine distemper should be quarantined.![]()
shox!! ako gipa eat og onion ako dogs... too late nko nka read ani..... i thot veggies are good. i try to feed them beans, okra, cabbage. once in a while. then naa man jud na onions.. huhuhu... dili diay pwidi... too late.... thanks... will not feed them onions again!!!!
NO TO DOG FIGHTING! Pit Bulls are wonderful dogs and have suffered enough being used to fight. Someone told me that pit bulls need to fight because it is in their nature. That was the most dumb thing I ever heard cuz this person didn't know the history of pit bulls. Look at Neville, a pit bull in the Washington State Police bomb squad. Neville was going to be killed in a shelter in Canada but thanks to a shelter worker he was rescued and has been a police dog in the bomb squad for years. Now the WSP is recruiting four more pit bulls in the bomb squad. Check out Neville's video.
Neville the pit bull to retire from job as bomb sniffer for WSP | KING5.com | Seattle Area Local News
I highly agree tita Nena “ NO TO DOG FIGHTING”
I really don’t know why they are happy seeing their dogs like these?
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@ All,
If you like to share information or anything that helps to stop Dog Fighting please share it to this thread
https://www.istorya.net/forums/pet-di...ml#post6897043
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