It's A Chained Dog's Life, and It's Not a Good One
By Emily Pennel — Most of us have seen
them: dogs who live at the end of a chain, day after day, month after
month, year after year. In the summer they lie panting in the hot sun,
scratching at the many fleas running over their skin. In the winter they
huddle in the corner of dilapidated doghouses, with no blankets or hay
to keep them warm. The life of a chained dog is a life of deprivation
and loneliness.... Read the full article
The True Story of a Backyard Dog
By Lori Oswald — Donovan was not a unique
dog. He did not pull a child from in front of an oncoming car. He did
not bark during a house fire and save an entire family from death. He
did not win a ribbon in an American Kennel Club dogs show, or even in a
community fun match. Indeed, Donovan was considered quite an "ordinary"
dog.... Read the full article
Blame the Owner, Not the Dog
By John Johnston — "After reviewing over
431 cases of fatal dog attacks it is apparent there is no single factor
that translates in a lethal encounter between a person and a dog(s),”
study author Delise says. “A fatal dog attack is always the culmination
of past and present events that include: inherited and learned
behaviors, genetics, breeding, socialization, function of the dog,
physical condition and size of the dog, reproductive status of dog,
popularity of breed, individual temperament, environmental stresses,
owner responsibility, victim behavior, victim size and physical
condition, timing and misfortune.” Read the full article
Dogs Need Time Off Chain To Learn Good Behavior
By Dr. Marty Becker — Experts agree that
chaining increases aggression in some dogs. "Rather than protecting the
owner or property, a chained dog is often fearful for itself,
particularly poorly socialized dogs or those with a previous negative
experience," says Rolan Tripp, affiliate professor of animal behavior at
the College of Veterinary Medicine at Colorado State University. "When
tethered and exposed to a potentially threatening stimulus, one thing
the dog definitely knows is, `I can't get away.' In that circumstance, a
reasonable response might be, `Therefore I'm going to try and scare you
away by growling or, worse yet, biting.' "
Read the full article
Man's Best Friend a Victim
By Tom Hennessy — As for providing
protection, Yarden dismisses the notion. "Dogs do not protect back
yards. They may bark at people, cats, other dogs, birds, butterflies or
falling leaves, but this is not protective behavior. This is boredom,
and an intruder can easily override it with an offering of food or
friendship. However, if the dog has free access to the inside via a dog
door, he will protect the house because it is his den as well. Such dogs
are the best and most reliable protectors. At the same time, they are
also protected from the elements, abusive strangers, dog-nappers and
poison."
Read the full article
Life at the End of a Chain
By Judith Fish, M.S.W. — Thousands of dogs
in South Florida and throughout the country are sentenced to life
imprisonment with no possibility for parole. These dogs have done
nothing wrong and have never committed a crime. Yet they're subjected to
a punishment worse than death - life at the end of a chain. Many of
these dogs are chained up 24/7 and some remain incarcerated like this
for their entire lives. Most of these dogs have never been for a walk
nor played a game of fetch. They have never enjoyed a ride in a car, and
have never known a moment of love. Read the full article
Dogs Often Care for Humans Better than Humans Care for Dogs
By Joel Freedman — During bitter cold
weather, the humane society in my community received complaints about an
old, gentle dog, chained outdoors day and night, who was trying
desperately and unsuccessfully to burrow into the frozen ground to
escape the brutal wind chill.... Even if the shelter is adequate, the
life of a chained or otherwise isolated dog is lonely, unhappy and
spirit-breaking. Read the full article
A Daily Reality
By Cherine Bissinger — As I wake up cozy
and warm on this bitterly cold December morning, I find myself
anguishing over the same thoughts once again. Since the weather turned
to subzero temperatures, I cannot eliminate the overwhelming feelings of
empathy and desperation for the countless animals forced to endure a
torturous existence by the hands of cruel, sadistic "owners" who
willfully neglect their basic physiological and psychological needs.
Read the full article
Say Good-bye to the Backyard Dog
With so many dogs being introduced
into new homes these days, let's clear up some common misconceptions.
Perhaps the most widely held misconception is the belief that dogs will
be healthy and happy living in the backyard. Nothing could be further
from the truth. Current studies prove that dogs isolated in backyards
are prone to develop behavioral problems.
Dogs are pack animals, they love companionship. Dogs are
social creatures, in fact, more social than humans. They need to be part
of human families. Denied access to human living space can result in
behavioral and medical problems. Read the full article
Outside Dogs
August 1995 Issue of Whiskers & Wags — I'm
familiar with hundreds of dog breeds, but what's an outside dog? Unless
you're medically intolerant of the dog (and therefore can't take care of
him in a medical emergency, so you shouldn't have the dog anyway),
making a dog stay outside is a costly waste. If he's for protection,
what do you think I want to steal - your lawn?
Read the full article
Learn to Step Up
By Maleah Stringer — When it comes to
getting involved in problematic or potentially conflicting social
issues, many members of our society suddenly become deaf, dumb and
blind. Most people simply don’t want to get involved because of the
repercussions it might have on their own lives. They cite many different
reasons for this but oftentimes they simply don’t realize that they can
do anything to make a difference. Read the full article
It's About Treating Animals With Compassion, Not "Rights"
By Maleah Stringer — One of the questions
that comes up frequently for groups that do animal rescue and deal with
the issues of animal cruelty is that of the forgotten animal. You’ve all
seen them — the ones chained or in tiny kennels in the back yard 24/7.
It seems the only time they get any interaction with another living
being is when they’re fed and if they’re lucky when their area is
cleaned of feces. This isolation is particularly sad for dogs since they
are social (pack) animals. Having very little interaction with either
their human family or other animals can cause a number of behavioral
problems. Read the full article
The Active Activist: Castles for Canines
By Michelle Rivera — "Dog people" fall into
a number of different categories. There are those who become dependent
upon their dogs for love, companionship and affection... those who
admire dogs for their great beauty, their intelligence, their
"conformation" to the ideals of specific breeds... and those who take in
stray dogs and care little for their aesthetics, colors, coat or
pedigree.... But there is another category, a very disturbing one, that
those who all of the people in the above categories combined will never,
ever understand.... Read the full article
|