South Carolina May Pass Law To Restrict Dog Chaining - National Humane Education Society
Paws Up!
South Carolina may pass the state’s first-ever law to address the long-term chaining of dogs.
Dog chaining is a major problem in both rural and urban parts of the United States. While many households intermittently tether their dogs for short periods of time under direct supervision without problems, the practice of tethering a dog for hours, days, weeks, even years on end is a pervasive form of animal cruelty.
Many cities and counties across the United States have banned or heavily restricted d0g chaining through local laws known as ordinances. Some states have even addressed long-term dog chaining in state animal cruelty laws. Hopefully, South Carolina will be the latest state to take this measure to combat dog chaining. According to a recent news article, a panel established by the South Carolina Legislature has proposed a new set of laws to protect the welfare of dogs who are tethered outside. If passed into law, the rules would require that tethered dogs have access to food, water and shelter and space to move about. A time limit restricting the number of hours an owner could tether a dog could also be imposed. Dog owners found in violation of the law could be charged.
Take action. South Carolina residents, contact your legislators and tell them to support new legislation to restrict dog chaining in your state. Find your legislators here.
Re: South Carolina Law To Restrict Dog Chaining
Dear {Legislator’s Name}:
My name is {Your Name} and I am writing to express my support of a law in South Carolina to restrict the practice of long-term dog chaining. Dog chaining creates a life of misery for dogs who remain solitary and tethered for much of their lives and kills many while they are still young. Chained dogs cannot escape from aggressive wild animals or free-roaming dogs. They may tip over and empty water bowls while dragging a chain and many have died from strangulation after trying to jump over a dog house or other object while chained. Their surroundings quickly become dusty or muddy circles infested with urine and feces. These are just a few reasons why dog chaining is dangerous, unsightly, and most of all — inhumane. As a resident of South Carolina, I urge you to work towards passing a law to help South Carolina’s chained dogs.
Respectfully,
{Your Name}
I support this law whole heartedly I have a dog in my neighborhood that is chained.
The sad part is the owners think there is nothing wrong with keeping a dog chained.
Dear {Legislator’s Name}:
My name is Linda Bulman and I am writing to express my support of a law in South Carolina to restrict the practice of long-term dog chaining. Dog chaining creates a life of misery for dogs who remain solitary and tethered for much of their lives and kills many while they are still young. Chained dogs cannot escape from aggressive wild animals or free-roaming dogs. They may tip over and empty water bowls while dragging a chain and many have died from strangulation after trying to jump over a dog house or other object while chained. Their surroundings quickly become dusty or muddy circles infested with urine and feces. These are just a few reasons why dog chaining is dangerous, unsightly, and most of all — inhumane. As a resident of South Carolina, I urge you to work towards passing a law to help South Carolina’s chained dogs.
Respectfully,
Linda Bulman
My neighbors have 5 pits chained 24/7 and never have any human contact exept for feeding and watering. They are spaced out along my property line so that we have to suffer from the barking all hours of the day and night. I cannot go outside to do anything without 5 dogs barking wildly at me and my dog. The only time I have ever seen a dog getting attention was when a man had a stick and walked up and started hitting it for no apparent reason. I too hope this law is passed .
I have the exact same issue except there are 8 pits! My issue became worse this past Friday September 18,2020 when one of them broke lose from chain and jumped fence into my yard and attacked me!!
I’m in pretty bad shape and live alone and have Zero help and now medical bills piling up and taking rabid shots which are expensive and I have no money!
Now I’m not even working !
Now there’s still 7 pits chained up next door! I’m living in fear in my own home
That’s EXTREMELY odd that a Pitbull attacked you like that cuz I have never seen any mean Pitbull’s nd I have 3 nd transport many of them to rescue’s and I have NEVER encounter any mean Pitbull’s unless the owner is making them mean by they way they’re being treated so that’s probably why they’re so mean there bc Unfortunately they’re not being taken cared of or loved me neglected and abuse…… such a shame for those poor innocent dog’s bc it’s not their fault it’s the owners fault and they ALLLLL should be taken away from her…. is she fighting them or what? Bc ALLLLL Pitbull’s treated right NEVER EVER would act like that and most even when being treated like that still don’t attack and become nasty…I hate they have a horrible reputation and being killed by the thousands daily along with other breeds as well…. we have a huge animal abuse killing euthanizing OVERPOPULATED problem and it’s not being taken care for in the right way…. the government is going about this all wrong its an easy fix if ppl would stop being so SELFISH HEARTLESS SOULLESS EVIL POS!!! SO many ppl are that its unbelievable that that many ppl are horrible on this earth and our for themselves only!!!! Smh it heartbreaking and hurts me EVERYDAY SERIOUSLY
Please call law on them
Going Thru myself with a bad neighbor chaining up a puppy huskie in a privacy fence
Dear {Lyndsey Graham
My name is Danny Ivester and I am writing to express my support of a law in South Carolina to restrict the practice of long-term dog chaining. Dog chaining creates a life of misery for dogs who remain solitary and tethered for much of their lives and kills many while they are still young. Chained dogs cannot escape from aggressive wild animals or free-roaming dogs. They may tip over and empty water bowls while dragging a chain and many have died from strangulation after trying to jump over a dog house or other object while chained. Their surroundings quickly become dusty or muddy circles infested with urine and feces. These are just a few reasons why dog chaining is dangerous, unsightly, and most of all — inhumane. As a resident of South Carolina, I urge you to work towards passing a law to help South Carolina’s chained dogs.
Respectfully,
Danny Ivester
Dear {Lyndsey Graham
My name is Linda Bulman and I am writing to express my support of a law in South Carolina to restrict the practice of long-term dog chaining. Dog chaining creates a life of misery for dogs who remain solitary and tethered for much of their lives and kills many while they are still young. Chained dogs cannot escape from aggressive wild animals or free-roaming dogs. They may tip over and empty water bowls while dragging a chain and many have died from strangulation after trying to jump over a dog house or other object while chained. Their surroundings quickly become dusty or muddy circles infested with urine and feces. These are just a few reasons why dog chaining is dangerous, unsightly, and most of all — inhumane. As a resident of South Carolina, I urge you to work towards passing a law to help South Carolina’s chained dogs.
Respectfully,
Linda Bulman
How can we vote to promote passing a law to stop dog tethering ?
I am with any help I can do or give I volunteer my time to help pass this law in this state and ALLLLL states nationwide HONESTLY I know that’s a far jump and we can work on state by state until all 50 animal laws are changed that’s not that only thing that DESPERATELY needs to be changed though also euthanizing in shelters so very QUICKLY has to STOP they dont even give enough time to find them rescue’s homes or somewhere safe to go…. I REALLLY think that ALLLLL shelters should get at least 1 million dollars EACH IN EVERY STATE to expand and make room for more dogs more ppl working helping to save theirs there’s an huge OVERPOPULATED worldwide of domestic animals without homes and dying for no reason and there should be no reason at ALLLLL the the USA can’t adjust to make this better and save poor innocent DOMESTIC animals in shelters…. there’s plenty of millionaires and billionaires that it wont hurt them at all to have then each donate to a shelter in their community or spread around so every shelter gets it… also they need stronger policies on adopting I BELIEVE it should be the same process as adopting a child and committing to a lifetime of the dogs life without harm to be able to adopt only reasons for return is if there are SERIOUS problems with the dog being there…. and will ALWAYS be returned to where it came from weather a rescue or shelter….. idk if your able to make some of my request laws or get it ready to be a petition to force these laws but If you could it would be a TRUE blessing to ALLLLL domestic animals in DESPERATE need of life saving…..
Pass the law!!
Dear {Lindsey Graham}:
My name is James Passmore and I am writing to express my support of a law in South Carolina to restrict the practice of long-term dog chaining. Dog chaining creates a life of misery for dogs who remain solitary and tethered for much of their lives and kills many while they are still young. Chained dogs cannot escape from aggressive wild animals or free-roaming dogs. They may tip over and empty water bowls while dragging a chain and many have died from strangulation after trying to jump over a dog house or other object while chained. Their surroundings quickly become dusty or muddy circles infested with urine and feces. These are just a few reasons why dog chaining is dangerous, unsightly, and most of all — inhumane. As a resident of South Carolina, I urge you to work towards passing a law to help South Carolina’s chained dogs.
Respectfully,
James Passmore
Dear Senator Graham,
My name is Helen Davis of Clemson,SC, near your own stomping ground. I am so frustrated that we do not have an anti-tethering law here! I have seen dogs recently tethered all day with no shelter during rain & wind storms when tree branches fell all around him. I didn’t see him for a few days after that. I volunteered to give him a dog house which he rejected. This dog & others like him need humane care & minimum standards of care & police officers willing to enforce the law. Even though I have reported that he has no shelter & is tethered, they think that because he is fed & not beaten it’s not cruelty! The law needs to be objective & measurable in simple to understand language. There are too many laws; as you well know, that have too many loopholes. Thank you. I know you are a good & fair person & will support this law that will positively benefit the lives of our animals.
Dear Senator Graham,
My name is Brooklyn Massey and I am writing to express my support of a law in South Carolina to restrict the practice of long-term dog chaining. Dog chaining creates a life of misery for dogs who remain solitary and tethered for much of their lives and kills many while they are still young. Chained dogs cannot escape from aggressive wild animals or free-roaming dogs. They may tip over and empty water bowls while dragging a chain and many have died from strangulation after trying to jump over a dog house or other object while chained. Their surroundings quickly become dusty or muddy circles infested with urine and feces. These are just a few reasons why dog chaining is dangerous, unsightly, and most of all — inhumane. As a resident of South Carolina, I urge you to work towards passing a law to help South Carolina’s chained dogs.
Respectfully,
Brooklyn Massey
U have forgotten that this type of isolation and lack of socializing is a cause of aggression and is extremely harmful to the mental well being of the animal
Hi Carl,
Thanks for your comment. Yes, we agree that tethering can lead to mental and emotional problems for the animal. Another important reason to ban tethering!
Dear Senator Graham, Please pass a NO TETHERING LAW in SC ASAP. This practice is archaic and animal cruelty; the animals suffer in many aspects! And please be specific, so as not to have any “loopholes”!
Dear Lindaey Graham:
My name is Beth Shedd and I am writing to express my support of a law in South Carolina to restrict the practice of long-term dog chaining. Dog chaining creates a life of misery for dogs who remain solitary and tethered for much of their lives and kills many while they are still young. Chained dogs cannot escape from aggressive wild animals or free-roaming dogs. They may tip over and empty water bowls while dragging a chain and many have died from strangulation after trying to jump over a dog house or other object while chained. Their surroundings quickly become dusty or muddy circles infested with urine and feces. These are just a few reasons why dog chaining is dangerous, unsightly, and most of all — inhumane. As a resident of South Carolina, I urge you to work towards passing a law to help South Carolina’s chained dogs.
Respectfully, Beth Shedd
You need to click on the link and look up your legislator and email them, write them. They aren’t going to see it here. our United States Senators are
Senior – Lindsey O. Graham
Junior – Timothy E. “Tim” Scott
Click the link in article and find who your other officials are.
You need click on link in article and write your government officials they won’t see the comments.
I do not support this at all dogs are too be tied up and let loose once a day however they should always have access to food water and shelter and water should be changed everyday
No, dogs are not meant to be chained all day and let loose once a day. That is incredibly inhumane. Please put yourself in your dog’s place and consider how awful an experience that would be for you to live through every day. The reason so many counties are changing their tethering laws is because people now realize how wrong it is. Why have a dog if he or she is just going to be chained outside all day with little to no socialization? Please read below the dangers of dog chaining.
“Dog chaining” describes a practice in which dog owners tether their dogs outdoors to a stationary object for extended periods of time. In some cases, chained dogs may be tethered for days, months, or even years. Dog chaining poses serious threats to a dog’s physical and psychological well-being. Due to the inhumane nature of continuous dog chaining, many cities and counties are passing local laws to ban the practice.
Risks of Dog Chaining
Dog chaining inherently creates a life of misery for dogs who remain solitary and tethered for much of their lives. The practice also creates secondary hazards that have killed or injured many dogs. Chained dogs…
…cannot escape from aggressive wild animals or free-roaming dogs.
… may tip over and empty water bowls while dragging a chain.
… do not receive adequate physical activity.
… have died from strangulation after trying to jump over an object, such as a dog house.
… may be more likely to bite than well-socialized dogs.
… are susceptible to overheating and freezing in extreme weather.
… can wrap the chain around objects, thereby further restricting their range of motion.
…often lunge or pull against a chain, causing abrasions to the neck.
…suffer high-exposure to disease-carrying insects including ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes.
…are forced to urinate and defecate in the same area where they eat and sleep.
…may bark continuously from boredom and frustration.
Maybe you’ve never had a dog companion that you had the chance to learn how dogs think and that they have feelings and emotions and give unconditional love to there pack humans. I can’t even bear to imagine my dog being left on a chain away from us for even one hour. I know people that have dogs on chains that Ive gotten to know and the dogs get so exited and happy to see me coming because its the only love they get. This disturbs me.
I agree with this law. There are many dogs left on chains in the yard and garages in my neighborhood all day. It is so very sad to see this.
The no tethering law MUST BE PASSED! There are at least 2 dogs (maybe more out of sight) chained up on SHORT chains at one residence near me and another pair chained up in another yard close to that resident. These dogs are kept apart as well as out of sight of each other. Neighbors are fearful of the dogs located at one of the residences being bred for dog fighting. The chains have to go! The dogs are forced to do their business in the area they are chained to so they must surely have to sleep in it.
I Wholeheartedly agree with this law! There is a dog in my neighborhood who is constantly chained outdoors in the cold and the heat. I know some of my neighbors have called Animal Control and made them aware of the situation, but no action has been taken. This dog needs to be rescued and the owners need to held accountable for abuse and neglect of an innocent animal.
Is this anti-tethering law still being considered in SC? Also, as others have mentioned, you must click on the link in the article to access the info on your local senator and representative to email them directly (not on this site). LIndsay Graham and Tim Scott are in the U.S. Congress–they are not directly involved in this vote. According to this article, this is being considered by the S.C. Legislature, so after you click on the link in the article that says “Find your legislators here,” you’ll need to scroll past Lindsay Graham and Tim Scott and find the names of your local representative and senator.
This particular law is not still being considered, however there is still hope that the legislature might bring a new bill forward in 2019. Currently, SC still does not have a state-wide dog tethering ban, but municipalities and counties are beginning to pass their own policies. And thank you for clarifying for some others- yes, the link to the SC legislators will help you find your local representative to contact. While we love seeing the comments on our articles, the comments do not transmit to the legislators. Thank you!
I hope it not only includes tethering but dogs kept outside 24/7 in a fence far from the house with a dilapidated structure inside the fence. WHY have dogs just to neglect them? Why are laws still so weak in the 21st century? Where are the big animal orgs to mobilize people to demand change? The attitude of people I have met — men so far — about dogs being fine outside 24/7 with no appropriate shelter is extremely disturbing, especially since SC has blazing, dangerous heat and humidity.
I have a neighbor who just got a puppy and I don’t know why b/c she keeps it tied to a tree all the time even in bad weather. Never interacts with the puppy. I have called the police, they warned her but she still does it and I feel I am annoying the police. Can’t we get the tether law in SC passed. I agree with all the comments, what can we do.
Hi Madison,
Please do not feel like you are being annoying to law enforcement. Please continue to report the neglect and abuse. Sometimes law enforcement agencies and animal welfare agencies have low staffing and are spread thin so they have trouble getting to every call in order to prioritize. Please continue to report neglect/abuse when you see it. Thank you for caring for the animals in your community!
Dogs have been chained for thousands of years, and everybody cant afford to build a pen for their dog therefore it will cause lots of people and especially kids to not be able to have dogs. I DO NOT agree with animal abuse in any way, so as long as the dog has water, u feed and check its water everyday, make sure it has a dog house to go in and cant get tangled, and have an appropriate size chain, not a huge log chain 3 feet long,, i recommend a regualr size unbreakable chain for ur dog and at least 15 ft long, 20 ft is even better. Thats my opinion on the matter.
Hi Brandon,
Thanks for your comment. To quote the article, “the rules would require that tethered dogs have access to food, water and shelter and space to move about. A time limit restricting the number of hours an owner could tether a dog could also be imposed. Dog owners found in violation of the law could be charged.” Tethering laws are being put in place because certain people are not giving their dogs these very basic needs. This law is not stating that tethering would be banned altogether.
Yes ma’am i understand that that,, when is this law go into effect,, and if it does will we have to buy a certain size kennel and have a roof and concrete or brick bottom, or at least around the edges so they cant dig out but also they dnt hurt their feet up on concrete all day?
I also understand that people neglect them but they neglect their own children around here where im from because of meth, and people just dont care about theirselves or others now days,but for us people with dogs chained properly shouldnt have to be punished because of those people. Enforcing it would be just as hard to enforce animal cruelty now too because unless they go out and check every house or someone calls then it just is what it is, i dont disagree with the law, i just think that people will still do what they do and some people doing it right will get charged for animal cruelty too. To me animal cruelty is beating them, making them mean, not checking water everyday, not feeding them eveeyday if not twice a day, and make sure they aint tangled and that they are in no distress, and how will they prove that ive had my dog on its chain for 3 hours or 3 years unless they harass me and constantly tatget me? This is in general not just me.
Also the articals im reading are from 2017 and 2018 did they pass the law yet?
Yes, this is an old article. This bill died in committee (it did not pass). South Carolina does not currently have any statewide dog tethering laws. Currently, there are three municipalities in South Carolina that do have laws surrounding dog tethering. They are: Beaufort, Greer, and York County, South Carolina. If you are unsure about your local municipality’s dog tethering laws, please contact your local law enforcement office or animal control office.
Also u need to let it off the chain at least once a day and walk them and let them play, my dogs have enuff chain to run where theyre tied, but water, food, appropriate size chain, dog house and shade in summer and sun in winter, and always make sure every single day they have water.
Dear Lindsey Graham:
My name is Fred Trammel and I am writing to express my support of a law in South Carolina to restrict the practice of long-term dog chaining. Dog chaining creates a life of misery for dogs who remain solitary and tethered for much of their lives and kills many while they are still young. Chained dogs cannot escape from aggressive wild animals or free-roaming dogs. They may tip over and empty water bowls while dragging a chain and many have died from strangulation after trying to jump over a dog house or other object while chained. Their surroundings quickly become dusty or muddy circles infested with urine and feces. These are just a few reasons why dog chaining is dangerous, unsightly, and most of all — inhumane. As a resident of South Carolina, I urge you to work towards passing a law to help South Carolina’s chained dogs.
Respectfully,
Fred Trammel
Dear Mr. Graham,
Please pass this law, they cannot speak so we must advocate on their behalf. These poor animals are left outside in all types of terrible weather, no animal deserves this. People should not get a pet if their answer to care is to chain them outside with no human interaction, love or proper veterinary care. Please, Please pass this law.
Please pass this law to protect these dogs. I have a dog next door that is chained no roof on his dog house and I tried to give him a dog house but no he never took it. The poor dog has bad teeth and loss hair and he is in bad shape
Ann Ferguson
Chaining or tied up in any way or however long is not acceptable at all, its very inhumane and just not right at all, I do deliveries at times and it kills me to see that and I see it everyday. How would you feel if you couldn’t even go run or stretch your legs your whole life. The people who do that arent good people simple as that. Dogs are gods greatest gift to us and don’t deserve that at all, they would do anything for us and yet we as a nation allow this to happen and keep happening. I just don’t understand why even have a dog if your just going to keep it like that, its like they like seeing the dog suffer and that is torture. We need to change this now and I’ll do whatever I can to change it. The people that do that should be punished. Please let me know what I can do to stop this horrific thing!
I absolutely agree with not chaining dogs. Person in my neighborhood has 2 large dogs to protect his property. When I would walk by I would talk to them but they always were in the back yard or the kennel. One of them got loose last week and after he was caught the owner chained one next to an igloo dog house and the other is chained in the kennel. They don’t even get up to see me when I walk by. They have lost what joy they used to have. This is unexceptable. I am heartbroken over the dog’s situation. Please pass this law immediately. Dogs deserve better.
Well it’s 2021 And the law still has an impasse for no tethering I’m looking at dog right now on a 4 foot chain has very little movement and no food or water South Carolina will never do anything to change it
Dear South Carolina Constituents please contact your State Senator’s, House Representative Directly. Directly.
Contact your Mayor’s And Attorney General (again Directly) send Emails and Facebook Post of Tethered Within your Area’s. Post on Twitter’s and Create & sign a Petition on CHANGE.ORG and Change.One.
I guarantee the more you Post, Sign Petitions and Call Call Call for the poor dog’s may not live thru yet another heat stroke summer or below 32 degree Winter Storm
I was privy to information that dogs in my Neighborhood are still tethered 24/7 365 days a year. A dog in my last neighborhood who was changed this length of time was a puppy and the puppy only lived a year and a half and died of starvation. They did not feed the dog nor did they leave any water. It broke my heart. I wholeheartedly I’m asking you to please pass a law so we can get these Monsters of people to be accountable for their actions. I don’t know how they can see that this is not wrong.
If you can’t afford to take care of your dog and give it the attention it needs properly, then you should rethink getting a dog. A dog comes with great responsibility it is not a toy that you can toss aside when you’re done with it or leave it outside when it annoys you. Many people can’t have dogs for this very reason and that’s a good thing. If you can’t take care of your dog and give it the attention and the proper care that it needs please do not get a dog.!
Lindsey Graham: My neighbor has their small terrier tethered 24/seven on their patio. There is an over hang of the roof but no walls,no sides all open to weather. Its so hot and the poor little dog never gets a brake from the heat! Im so afraid he will die of heat exhaustion or dehydration! I asked the neighbor if he could bring the dog in for periods of time and ignored me. Please this abuse has to stop!
Dear Mr, Graham,
I have seen too many posts from my SC and NC neighbors about dogs being chained without shelter or human contact. One such case has 2 dogs and a mother with puppies. Another one which got much attention was a medium size dog in a chicken coop on stilts. How can this not make any person absolutely sick. We need to change this law and make it a requirement that any and all dog and cat owner have their pets spayed and neutered that will greatly help this situation. Please do the right thing and pass this law.
Respectfully,
Lorraine Moncrief
I’ve always had a dog chained up outside of my door to protect my family my dog gets love and support so it’s okay to put people in chains but not to chain up a dog
I am with any help I can do or give I volunteer my time to help pass this law in this state and ALLLLL states nationwide HONESTLY I know that’s a far jump and we can work on state by state until all 50 animal laws are changed that’s not that only thing that DESPERATELY needs to be changed though also euthanizing in shelters so very QUICKLY has to STOP they dont even give enough time to find them rescue’s homes or somewhere safe to go…. I REALLLY think that ALLLLL shelters should get at least 1 million dollars EACH IN EVERY STATE to expand and make room for more dogs more ppl working helping to save theirs there’s an huge OVERPOPULATED worldwide of domestic animals without homes and dying for no reason and there should be no reason at ALLLLL the the USA can’t adjust to make this better and save poor innocent DOMESTIC animals in shelters…. there’s plenty of millionaires and billionaires that it wont hurt them at all to have then each donate to a shelter in their community or spread around so every shelter gets it… also they need stronger policies on adopting I BELIEVE it should be the same process as adopting a child and committing to a lifetime of the dogs life without harm to be able to adopt only reasons for return is if there are SERIOUS problems with the dog being there…. and will ALWAYS be returned to where it came from weather a rescue or shelter….. idk if your able to make some of my request laws or get it ready to be a petition to force these laws but If you could it would be a TRUE blessing to ALLLLL domestic animals in DESPERATE need of life saving…..
I am in full support of no tethering in the state of SC. I see it all of the time, in fact I leave notes in people’s mailboxes regarding the danger of leaving pet’s out in extreme weather conditions.
I whole heartedly support a law to prohibit tethering a dog in SC. Someone who tethers does not need a dog. A dog should not be something that someone just owns. It should be a companion; a pet that is loved & respected. A dog depends upon its owner for everything. And, in return, the owner will receive unconditional love. Tethering is dangerous for a dog for many reasons: it cannot escape bad weather or vicious animals; It may turn over a water bowl that can lead to dehydration; Its movements are restricted, which is very stressful. I hope that SC legislators step up to the plate and help protect helpless animals. We need this law NOW, not later. Tethering has gone on entirely too long in this state!