City Council of Bristol, TN, Votes Down Ordinance to Unchain Dogs - National Humane Education Society

Paws Down!

To the members of the city council of Bristol, TN, who voted against limiting dog-chaining in the city.

Continuous dog-chaining is well-established as an inhumane way to harbor a dog. Even when shelter is provided and food and water is attended to daily, continuously chained dogs lack adequate opportunities for exercise and mental stimulation, endure higher exposure to tick, flea, and mosquito-born diseases, are unable to flee from attacks from roaming animals both wild and domestic, are prone to heightened aggression, may experience injury from the chain or tether, and suffer from prolonged boredom, loneliness, and frustration.

In response to these realities, many cities and counties around the nation are passing ordinances to stop, or greatly limit the practice of dog-chaining.  Unfortunately, the city council of Bristol, Tennessee, a city home to over 26,000 residents, has voted down a proposed ordinance to restrict dog tethering. Two members of the five-person council voted in favor of the ordinance. Today, current regulations in Bristol, TN, allow for a dog to be continuously tethered for the animal’s entire lifetime after the age of six months.

Take action: Residents of Bristol, Tennessee, contact your city council and respectfully urge them to revisit an ordinance that would limit dog-chaining.