PET CALENDAR
January is known as Unchain a Dog Month, and it is a time to come to the rescue of chained up “backyard” dogs. It is also a time to spread awareness about the damaging physical and psychological effects that chaining has on dogs.
“Chaining” and “tethering” both refer to tying a dog to a stationary object, thereby restricting the dog’s movement and leaving the dog unattended.
Chaining, as the term implies, usually involves attaching the dog to a heavy chain. Tethering consists of restraining the dog with a light chain or rope. Both chaining and tethering refer to unsupervised, long-term confinement. Over the past decade, several states have enacted anti-tethering laws to protect animals from these harmful practices.
Dogs may not speak our language, but they absolutely communicate, which is one of the reasons they have long made such perfect companion animals. They can sense humans’ emotions, and they bond with their humans. As most pet-parents know, all their canine companions truly want is approval and love. Well, that and a comfy dog bed or a warm spot on the couch to snuggle. They won’t turn down a few treats, toys, or belly rubs either.
Dogs thrive in the company of their loving humans. Sadly, for a variety of reasons, many dogs spend their lives in backyards tethered to chains. It’s hard for animal lovers to understand how someone can do this to Man’s Best Friend. However, to help chained dogs, we must be willing to approach owners with information, ideas, and resources.
Here are a few reasons owners may tether their dogs:
If you see dogs left chained up outside, speak up. You might not change the owners’ opinion, but you can certainly educate them as to why their pups are better off inside. Many owners who leave their dogs chained fail to consider the weather conditions. Some dogs remain out in the heat for hours. Others face brutally cold winters outdoors. Remember, if you are too hot or too cold, it is too hot or cold to leave a dog outdoors.
Not only is chaining a dog outside inhumane, but some communities have also learned the hard way that it is a public safety hazard.
You can help backyard dogs by being a voice for them. If you see an animal being abused, neglected, or mistreated, call your local police department or animal control officer immediately. If local authorities do not respond, you can call PETA at 757-622-7382 or report animal cruelty directly through the link on their website.
Ways to Help
Nothing in this article should be construed as financial, legal or veterinary advice. Please consult your own advisors for questions relating to your and your pet’s specific circumstances.
1 Pet Insurance offered by MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions LLC is underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company (“IAIC”), a Delaware insurance company, headquartered at 485 Madison Avenue, NY, NY 10022, and Metropolitan General Insurance Company (“MetGen”), a Rhode Island insurance company, headquartered at 700 Quaker Lane, Warwick, RI 02886, in those states where MetGen’s policies are available. MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions LLC is the policy administrator authorized by IAIC and MetGen to offer and administer pet insurance policies. MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions LLC was previously known as PetFirst Healthcare, LLC and in some states continues to operate under that name pending approval of its application for a name change. The entity may operate under an alternate, assumed, and/or fictitious name in certain jurisdictions as approved, including MetLife Pet Insurance Services LLC (New York and Minnesota), MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions Agency LLC (Illinois), and such other alternate, assumed, or fictitious names approved by certain jurisdictions.