A Chained Dog in Oklahoma Brings to Light the Inhumane Practices of Tethering - National Humane Education Society
Paws Up!
September 11, 2020
To Robert Riojas for contacting Representative Mickey Dollens to help create change for tethered dogs in Oklahoma.
Throughout the United States, countless dogs are living at the end of a chain. Sadly, many suffer and perish due to limited or non-existent laws, as in Lily’s tragic death in Las Vegas. In order to help prevent more deaths, like Lily’s, it is imperative to advocate for stricter laws to be passed. Your voice makes a difference. A phone call, letter, or email to your local or state representative may be the one needed to help ignite leaders to create change on behalf of animals.
One Oklahoman did just that. Robert Riojas spoke up for tethered dogs in his state, after finding a loose dog wandering around in his yard. That day changed the pit bull mix’s life, and possibly others like her forever. Robert Riojas was appalled as he watched the friendly dog drag a huge towing chain behind her. It was tightly padlocked around her neck without a collar. Rather than ignore her, he came to her aid and called the Oklahoma City Animal Welfare. Then he went a step further by calling Representative Mickey Dollens (D-District 93) to find out how to prevent owners from using cruel practices, like heavy chains, to tether their dogs.
In response to Riojas’ phone call, Representative Dollens is working toward advocating for a state-wide ban on heavy chains and other forms of extremely heavy tethers. Oklahoma does not have any restrictions or regulations regarding tethered dogs. Robert Riojas’ choice to help the dog, now named Lucky, could be the turning point for chained dogs all across Oklahoma to create a more humane world. Lucky, the once chained dog, received her happy ending when Robert Riojas adopted her.
Take Action: Oklahomans contact your legislator to show your support to create stricter laws to help protect dogs, like Lucky, who live their lives tethered 24/7. If you reside in District 93, please contact Representative Mickey Dollens to show your support and thank him for pursuing tethering restrictions.
We need more people like the guy that saved Lucky. Heavy chains should be outlawed across the country. Along with leaving animals tied up outside 24/7 in all kinds of weather.
This is a case of animal cruelty, pure and simple.
No animal should be kept on a chain outside without protection from the elements and without proper food/water. An animal needs being around people receiving loving and care. Not shut away from others living a lonely life at the end of a chain. This is not life but being a prisoner! This is also animal cruelty. However, the individuals that do this — would they like to live a life like this? Maybe giving them 24 hours at the end of a chain will teach them that this is no way to live!
Im working now to get a neighbor’s dog from being chaned. They left him out in 9 degree weather, no shelter from snow & ice i went out at 3am to check on him & fell on the ice im 75 yr old! I couldnt get any authoritis to even check on him. Mskes me sick & sleepless.
NO CHAINS FOR ANIMALS
Yes no chains!!!!!! They need to be outlawed!!!!! Every day I drive by a poor dog that is chained, he’s in the 🌞🌞 he gets no contact with other dogs or people!!!! I just want to take him home with me 😞
Those who chain innocent animals exposing them to the elements, snow, ice, drain, burning sunshine, should be punished to the fullest extent of the law. These evil assholes have NO use in our society. They should be chained by the neck for a few winters and see how THEY like it! Didn’t their teachers/parents teach them it’s WRONG to abuse animals? DUH?
the chains should be put on the people who do this.Animals are so much better than people…in many cases…
Congratulations to Robert on adopting Lucky, she deserves a good home with you. And KUDOS to Representative Mickey Dollens for getting the Ball rolling on Stricter Tethering laws. We have them here in PA and it’s about time that more states get them. If you’re going to tether a dog all day, why even bother getting a dog? Think about that. It makes no sense, because you’ll ignore the dog and eventually it will lead to something very tragic, which could have been avoided. People really need to think before they decide to purchase an animal. It’s a Life long commitment.
Why or why is it so hard to get such cruelty bans enacted? Oklahomans … get this taken care of and prosecute these human debris animal abusers!
A sympathetic Georgian
My neighbors have dogs chained and they are outside in all kinds of weather without a doghouse or even being able to cuddle close to each other. I called Animal Control and they left this note on their door. How do I know? Because the neighbor then put it on mine.
“Someone called about your dogs. Dogs are fine. If you would like dog houses that they can’t tear up please come to shelter *free dog house. Officer Spears Comm# 5070 Case#A21-086347
I truly believe it is cruel & inhumane to keep a dog chained up for an extended amount of time even if it has a dog house, water & food. They have a minimum area to move around, they have to walk in their own faces & urine. They can’t possibly get away from predators. Someone in my neighborhood has one chained to a tree, temp is 100 degrees and it’s tongue is hanging out. I get nauseous each time I see the poor little girl. It’s tied up 24/7. Oklahoma needs to enforce a law against such cruelty. Why does a person even want a dog to submit it to torture?
Chaining a dog up 24/7 is cruel…heartless…no living thing should endour a life of such misery..dogs should be loved…my neighbor has a dog chained up outside w puppies 24/7 she looks at me all the time all she wants is love..ive called animal control..ive called the police..noone will do anything anout it…in the winter she freezes n shakes n i rarely see food out there for her..i think she just gets 1 bowl of dog food a day if that no love no attention…so tell me. Would you like to live this way? Would you like to be the neighbor of people that do things like this ? It hurts me every single day and i would love to just love that dog but shes not mine. Things need to change here in oklahoma i cant stand this cruelty and heartlessness she deserves better so do her puppies !!!!!!
COME ON PEOPLE!! We are supposed to be the superior beings here. The GOLDEN RULE. remember it, it applies to everything. RESPONSIBILITY take it, you know right from wrong, Just ask yourself would I be happy if as that pet? Bullies that’s what people are that treat their pets inhuman. Just do what is right. Love your pets!
I agree hey log chai s . ND NO COLLARS AT BAD . BUT IF YOU LIVE SOMEWERE THAT WE UR DOGS GET SHOT OR DISPLAY if left unchained .what the. . As long as u take care of them use collars and don’t neglect them u think it is ok. If we do t chain them we lose em had several disappeared or get shot
If they are getting out of your yard figure out where and fix it. If they are little monkeys and are climbing the fence put in a taller fence. That’s part of being a responsible pet owner. I think it’s horrible to force an animal to have to walk around all it’s life with a chain. No matter how you look at it it’s wrong……how would you like it done to you???? Try to be in their position for say 3-4 hours on a 110 degree day or a 10 degree day. I bet you won’t like it either!!
FIX your fence so they can’t get out!!!!!!!
Thanks for sharing your info. I really appreciate your
efforts and I will be waiting for your further write ups
thank you once again.
My father lives at 1204 sw 24th there are two dogs there one is on a tow chain and the other is running around my father can not go out in the back yard because the one (pitbull) running around is mean towards male’s and animals control won’t do anything also there is a daycare behind there house
What state do you live in?
Hello! I need to report and hope you will save the dogs across the street in Ralings ok. They are on the north side on 2nd a block from highway at a trailer on the corner. One chained up, 4 are in a tiny cage- never let out and are fighting and hurting each other bad- the owner never touches them- spays them with water hose- in freezing weather. He have around 5 more dogs inside the trailer. The ones in the cage are suffering and living a horrible cruel life! Please save them! Thank you!
Hello Cynthia,
Please call your local animal control to report what you have witnessed. If there isn’t an animal control facility in your area, please call your local police department. Thank you for your care and for being an advocate for those precious dogs.