Chained Dogs

Consequences of Chaining

Chained Dogs and Biting

Reasons People Chain Dogs

Take Action

Many of us have experienced the love, companionship, and joy of sharing our homes and our lives with a companion animal. Sadly, some people still do not realize or care that it is an utter act of cruelty to make a dog - a creature who innately craves social companionship - live out his existence at the end of a steel chain. The practice is not only inhumane but also poses a threat to the safety of the chained dog, other animals, and humans as well.

A Dog’s Life

Dogs thrive on interaction with human beings and other animals. They need regular interaction with their family members. A dog kept chained (or confined to a pen) whether for hours, days, months, or years can suffer tremendous psychological damage. These sensitive and loving animals desire and deserve as much comfort and happiness as beloved indoor companion animals. Unfortunately, because of the chained dog’s minimal territory space and lack of socialization, these animals often become exceedingly hyper and aggressive. They can become territorial; and anyone who comes near them, especially small children, may be attacked. 

Many chained dogs spend their lives connected to a 6’ or shorter metal chain. Under these cramped and often filthy conditions, dogs are forced to eat, drink, urinate, defecate, and sleep with no respite or companionship. They suffer through blistering heat and freezing cold, rain, and wind. Their “home” turns into a muddy mess, dust bowl, or frozen landscape. If shelter is provided, it is often inadequate for the dog’s needs. One wonders: Why have a dog in the first place?

Consequences of Chaining                                                                           Back To Top

Chained dogs typically receive little to no human attention, veterinary care, or fresh food and water on a regular basis. In hot climates, water bowls evaporate and in cold ones they freeze. Food becomes infested with insects or turns putrid having been exposed to air, light, and bacteria for hours on end.

A chained dog may suffer torment from passing humans and attacks by other animals. They may be stolen for sale to research institutions or to people who engage in the world of dog fighting, an illegal activity in all 50 states.

Feeling vulnerable and threatened on a daily basis, many chained dogs will lunge at anything that goes by them, and thus, pose a serious danger to small animals and children. Furthermore, the constant lunging often causes the dog’s collar tor tear into the skin and can, in some cases, become imbedded in the dog’s neck, requiring surgery to remove the collar. The chain itself, which may weigh upwards of 25 pounds, can become tangled around objects causing the dog to strain even more and giving him or her even less room to move. In some cases, the straining may cause injury or even death to the dog. Some dogs choke to death when they attempt to jump over fences and hang themselves.

Chained dogs may suffer from depression. They are being isolated from their family with no understanding of why. They are left alone for hours if not days before they have human contact. Such lack of contact can cause a once happy, alert animal to sink into a level of despair that can affect them not just psychologically but physically as well.

Chained dogs are caught in a vicious cycle. The longer they stay chained, the less likely they are to have human companionship thereby making it more difficult to handle them. The more difficult they become, the less likely a human will want to engage with them. They are caught in a downward spiral, not of their own making.

Chained Dogs and Biting                                                                              Back To Top

According to the Centers for Disease Control and the American Veterinary Medical Association:

·         Every 40 seconds someone in the United States seeks medical attention for a dog bite-related injury.

·         Dog attacks cause 4.5 million injuries annually, 800,000 of which require medical attention.

·         Children under 15 years of age are the most common victims, making up approximately 70% of all dog bite victims.

·         Dog bites are a greater health problem for children than measles, mumps, and whooping cough combined.

·         Young boys between the ages of five and nine are the most frequent victims.

·         Almost two thirds of injuries among children ages four and younger are to the head and neck region.

According to a 2006 study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, chained dogs are 2.8 times more likely to bite. Also, the authors of the 2004 Pediatrics article, “Which dogs bite? A case-control study of risk factors,” write,

“Our finding that being chained in the yard may be a risk factor for biting is in agreement with prior studies which have demonstrated that chained dogs account for a substantial portion of serious and fatal bites.”

The above-mentioned organizations and articles address other issues that influence whether a dog will be more prone to inflict a bite on a human, especially a child. These other issues include: poor training, being unsupervised, and being inhumanely treated. Dogs that are not spayed or neutered also tend to inflict more bites than those who have been surgically altered. Chained dogs fit this description perfectly.

Reasons People Chain Dogs                                                                        Back To Top

There are many reasons people chain dogs; these include:

“We’ve always done it that way.” People may have been culturally conditioned to leaving dogs outside. Often large dogs are kept outdoors simply because of their size. All dogs, regardless of size, deserve to live indoors with their human and other animal family.

“He (She) is happy outside.” Dogs are pack animals and wish to be with their humans and other animals. They appear happy when their owners approach them but that is because they want to be with their owners, not because they are happy being attached to a chain.

“Bad dog.” The dog has in some manner not lived up to the humans’ standards so he or she is exiled to the outdoors. These perceived acts of disobedience can be addressed through understanding basic canine behavior and appropriate human and canine training.  

For instance, if the dog is urinating or defecating in the house when the owner is not home, crating or confining the dog to a safe place in the home may correct this problem. However, dogs, just as humans, need to “use the facilities,” so frequent bathroom breaks outside are required. If the owner cannot be home on a regular basis, finding a qualified person to let the dog out will help keep the dog house trained and content.

If the dog is chewing household belongings when no one is home, crating or confining the dog in the house will eliminate that problem. When home, the owner can redirect the dog to play with and chew on appropriate toys. If the dog is jumping up on furniture and people, obedience training will help the owner correct these problems so that the dog is a good household companion. Appropriate canine obedience classes can often alleviate many behavioral issues. 

“I can’t take the mess.” Too much hair and doggy smells often send the dog to the outdoors. The simple solution is to routinely groom and bathe the dog. Grooming bonds the dog with his or her owner while maintaining a healthy coat free of fleas and ticks. Grooming also gives the owner an opportunity to practice obedience commands.

Dogs are relying on us to give them the best chance for a normal canine life. If you want to have a dog in your life, be a responsible owner. Keep your dog inside your home. He or she is a member of your family. 

Updated August 2009                                                                                      Back To Top

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Take Action to Help Chained Dogs

What can you do to help dogs who are chained all or most of the time? First, you can be a responsible pet owner and make sure your own dog is humanely cared for. Here are actions you can take to help other dogs and their owners:

• Politely approach the owner to determine the reason the dog is maintained out of doors. There could be circumstances that have forced this practice to occur. It is important to not immediately believe the worst in the owner; perhaps they may have grown up with outdoor dogs and assume this is what everyone does. Education is the key here. Share your knowledge about the dangers of leaving dogs chained outdoors to the dogs themselves, other animals, and humans, especially children.
• Research your community’s dog ordinances to determine if long-term chaining is a crime. Educating the dog’s owner on the legal issues may be just what he or she needs to change this behavior.   
• Offer to walk or play with the dog thereby helping the dog become a good canine citizen. Sometimes our positive behavior toward the dog may inspire the owner to change his or her ways.   
• Offer bedding, toys, and treats to the chained dog, after first obtaining permission from the dog’s owner, so that the dog has some comfort and stimulation.   
• Offer to help build a fenced area, large enough to give the dog plenty of room to move and exercise. 
• If you suspect that the dog you see chained outdoors, or any animal you see, is being neglected or abused by anyone, you can take action.