"If we can't have the dogs chained to the tree, what's the point of having them?"

Check out these links:
[linkhttp://dogbreedinfo.com/chain.htm]http://dogbreedinfo.com/chain.htm[/link]
[linkhttp://www.theheraldbulletin.com/columns/local_story_139220320.html]http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/columns/local_story_139220320.html[/link]
[linkhttp://www.animalsheltering.org/resource_library/magazine_articles/jul_aug_2005/how_to_help_a_chained_dog.html]http://www.animalsheltering.org/resource_library/magazine_articles/jul_aug_2005/how_to_help_a_chained_dog.html[/link]
 
Quote from this artical: [linkhttp://www.thepetprofessor.com/articles/article.aspx?id=423]http://www.thepetprofessor.com/articles/article.aspx?id=423[/link]
"
 5.  Don't tie your dog out. 
Tied dogs are frustrated dogs.  They experience "barrier frustration" all day long.  This tends to make them hyper and testy.  A child entering the area where a dog is chained could be easily knocked down or bitten.  If one or more of your neighbors ties a dog out, don't let your children go near these dogs.  They are an accident waiting to happen."
 
 

I don't disagree that there is potential for tied or chained dogs to have some type of behaviour problem if they're not given the attention they need... but that's not really wht the issue is here, is it? At any rate, my parents dog, who is tied out 24/7 is very friendly, well behaved and a happy dog. He's not aggressive, doesn't bite or gorwl and is an overall good dog. But should a law like this be put into effect in our area, my parents would suffer because of it.. and would probably have to find another home for their dog. For no reason other than "someone " doesn't think the dog is being treated right because it's on a chain, when in reality their dog probably gets treated better and is better cared for than some people could say of their children.  And I'd be willing to bet that "someone" is some animal rights nutball who thinks of their dogs as being human and thinks that dogs should be treated soley as well as any other human would be. I'm sorry, but here, where I was born and raised, that's not the case. MANY people view dogs as being just that.. a DOG. An animal. An animal who should know it's place, take it's place and that's the way it is.
I don't personally believe that... but lots of people do. And though they care for their dogs, take care of their dogs and love their dogs ( to what they consider and acceptable degree) they just don't believe a dog should be inside or should take prescidence over a human. To them a dog who gets store brand dog food and table scraps is eating good... I guess science could tell us differnet.. but that dog is still getting fed. To them a dog who has a good, sturdy, weather resistant dog house has good shelter. To them their natural winter coat is enough to keep them warm and they're able to adapt to harsh conditions.. to them, their ability to shed that winter coat and pant is enough to keep them cool in the summer. That's not an uncommon way for people to think.. and to them it's a ridiculous notion for someone to suggest a dog not be on a chain in the yard. And for them to fined because they're taking care of their dog in a manner in which they see fit and scceptable is proposterous... and I DO agree with that.

Again...I believe it should be based on a case by case situation.  My dog, is on a runner 20 hours a day.....and he has absolutly NO beahvior issues, and is much much healthier now than he was when he wasnt on a runner. 
If dogs are cared for and loved......regardless of whether they are in the house, in a kennel, or on a chain tied to a tree....they dont have these problems.  
A law like this singles out those of us that simply dont have another option, and groups us with people that mistreat and neglect their animals.  This is a type of prejudice.  Not all people that keep their dogs on chains are evil, just like not all people that keep their dogs inside are saints!  In reality......any and every dog that walks the face of this Earth, regardless of where they "are kept" may, and CAN face the same neglect and mistreatment.  It is completely and totally unfair to punish people that care and love for their pets regardless of where they are kept.  If a law like this is going to be passed, then another should be put in place that says dogs in kennels for long periods of time will be fined, and dogs that are kept indoors away from the "outside world" should be fined.  In reality....that would be the only FAIR way to do it!!!!!!!!!

I agree with you Angl.. it's unfair an unfair law that will punish innocent animal lovers.. such as yourself, my parents and many others I know.

Couldnt have said it better myself mehpenn! 

I just think the guy in the original article phrased his opinion in an extremely bizarre manner. "What's the point in having a dog if you can't chain him to a tree"?  What the heck does that mean?  That the only reason for getting a dog is so you can have somethng to chain to your tree???

Joyce & Max

ORIGINAL: mehpenn

At any rate, my parents dog, who is tied out 24/7 is very friendly, well behaved and a happy dog. He's not aggressive, doesn't bite or gorlw and is an overall good dog. But should a law like this be put into effect in our area, my parents would suffer because of it.. and would probably have to find another home for their dog.

I am sorry, I can't comprehend this. Someone loves their dog and treats it well, but would re-home rather than bring it inside or build a kennel?

ORIGINAL: angl012778

If a law like this is going to be passed, then another should be put in place that says dogs in kennels for long periods of time will be fined, and dogs that are kept indoors away from the "outside world" should be fined. In reality....that would be the only FAIR way to do it!!!!!!!!!

The chained dog epidemic necessitates laws like this. Like I said, I think that the majority of people who tie dogs out 24/7 are not responsible owners and allow their dogs to be neglected - unfortunately that shows in that cities feel laws like this are necessary.

The other argument is that the majority of dogs that are tied out suffer behavioral problems, so it really is for the good of the dog that laws like this are passed.

Again, I don't agree with any dog ever being out 24/7, and I think that any dog in almost any situation suffers for it.

ORIGINAL: fuzzy_dogs_mom

I just think the guy in the original article phrased his opinion in an extremely bizarre manner. "What's the point in having a dog if you can't chain him to a tree"? What the heck does that mean? That the only reason for getting a dog is so you can have somethng to chain to your tree???

Joyce & Max

I think colliewog was right - he was probably referring to having the dogs as guard dogs. Still an ignorant comment to make, IMHO.

HOw can anyone make a statement like that? That would be like me saying ALL PITT BULLS are aggressive, CHOW CHOW's can't be trusted around kids at all, DOBERMAN's and GERMAN SHEPHERD's are notoriously aggessive by nature.
ALL dogs who live indoors are healthier and happier than those who don't. ANYONE who has an outside dog is a REDNECK HEATHERN. ALL dogs should be treated equally to the way you'd treat your KIDS, one should NOT come before the other...
 
Come on guys! We shouldn't be making generalized statments like that! Just because some one is raised to believe a dog has it's place in the role of their family and that place is outside... doesn't mean they don't love or care for their dog! How can you say that?! That's ridiculous! People are raised to belive and accept differnet things... just because that opinion differs from your own doesn't mean they care less or are less of a person.  So they don't like dogs inside and believe a dogs place is outside... so? SO? You don't agree.. so? IT;s because of people like you that those who are innocent ard caring are going to be punished.

I bet that man regreted saying that as soon as it came out of his mouth.

mehpenn... I dont think anyone here said ALL people who tie their dogs do not love them or care for them or whatever, and no one said ALL dogs who are tied outside are aggressive.  You quoted me and in the quote I said I dont disagree with you that there are tied dogs who get love ect ect and right under that quote you said that saying ALL tied dogs are mistreated was a rediculous statement....  WHO SAID THAT?  YOU keep saying that, not us, stop putting words in my and everyones mouths.... I DONT DISAGREE with everything you are saying...
 
MY point here is... whats wrong with forcing people to make their dogs live inside most of the time?  How can that possibly be a bad thing?  Even IF the dog is treated well... whats so bad about having them be forced to live inside?  Its not like if they spend most of their time inside they will be unhappy about it.  I know you may THINK they are happy tied to a tree 24/7 but I guarantee you without a doubt they will be much happier inside!!!!!!  You wouldnt much like having something tied around your neck for your whole life.  You spend a week outside tied to a tree and see if you like it.... Im not trying to be ugly here and I apologize in advance if it sounds that way... I guess the difference between you and I (which is why I said that last statement about you try living tied to a tree and see how you like it) is that I think of them as family members (not that you dont) but as people basically (no not literally) but I think they should not be put through anything I would not want to go through myself....
 
I totally get that not everyone thinks of them that way... but I do which is why I dont think they should live tied up outside 24/7..... not a life I would enjoy therefore dont think its a life they would enjoy.  And while no one said ALL owners who tie them neglect them... it IS more common for tied dogs to be neglected than those who live inside.  And it IS more common for them to be more agressive than those who live inside.  Yes some inside dogs are the same - Im just saying its more common for those tied.
 
Someone said something about if they were in a kennel they could not get to shade or food or water... well of course you wouldnt put it in direct sunlight and leave them in there with no food or water... but in all fairness to your comment - tied to a tree they couldnt get those things unless you provided them just the same as a kennel.[8|] 
 
Its simply a difference of opinion...   I enjoy this type of debate - so please dont take offense to anything Ive said.  Anyhow I for one am glad for this new law, and think it will improve the quality of life for many dogs.
 
And just want to add that if you tie your dog out and love him/her properly thats great, Im not saying its a horribly mistreated life, Im just saying why not let them in?

Come on guys! We shouldn't be making generalized statments like that!

 
Nobody did...

Just because some one is raised to believe a dog has it's place in the role of their family and that place is outside... doesn't mean they don't love or care for their dog! How can you say that?!

 
Who said that...

Why do you consider it punishment to have the dog inside?

I'm sorry I don't know which comment your rant is referring to - but I didn't make any statement that was an absolute or even a generalized one. I said "any dog in almost any situation" if that was even the one you were referring to - and I do believe that any dog could be negatively affected by being outside 24/7 - an opinion that is backed up by a lot of evidence, both anecdotal and scientific.