Restrained dogs are at the end of their tether
We’ve had enough of dog tethering. Here’s why.
Countries across the globe agree that dog tethering is cruel and inhumane. But few have laws to prosecute against it. This form of restraint is harmful for both pet and the public so how can we ensure harsher penalties are put in place to address it?
This article reported on a law passed by the US Birmingham City Council making it illegal to tether a dog by chain, to a fixed point, or for an extended period of time. Unsurprisingly, one UK reader mistook the Birmingham reference for the English city of the same name. He was relieved after realising his mistake as ‘we don’t do that to dogs in Britain.’
What’s surprising, however, is that dog tethering is not illegal in the UK.
In 2018, a tragic incident occurred in North London when a dog was strangled to death by his tether as he tried to jump over a small wall. The dog hung itself in the process, oblivious to the limits of his restraint. The story horrified dog owners across the country and drew attention to the dangers of tethering. Yet the law remains unchanged. The RSPCA state that while restraining dogs in this way is not advised, ‘the law is not necessarily broken.’
It seems clear then that we are uninformed on this topic. What exactly is dog tethering? What animal welfare concerns does it raise? And how do different countries legislate against it?
‘Tethering means attaching a dog or cat to a stationary object or pulley run by means of a chain, rope, tether, cable, or similar restraint.’ 1 This does not include walking a dog on a leash or short periods of tethering while an owner is present.
Reasons for using this type of restraint tend to fall under the category of misbehaved pets. Owners tie their pet outside to prevent them from escaping, from chewing through their collars, or from causing harm inside the home with children or furniture. It is a last resort for owners unsure of a better way to control their dog.
However, tethering as a solution to bad behaviour often adds to the issue rather than resolving it. Dogs become anxious at their sudden lack of freedom which leads to aggressive outbursts. They attack when approached, protective over the territory they are tied to. This can be particularly dangerous for children who wander over unwittingly to pet the dog: the dog cannot distance itself from the child so bites instinctively to defend itself.
Numerous studies confirm the link between tethering and violence in dogs. This report by PETA reveals that since 2003, over 450 Americans have been injured or killed by a chained dog – the majority were children. Meanwhile another study conducted in 1994 found that chained dogs are almost three times more likely to attack than those untethered.
But dog tethering causes harm which goes beyond public safety. The dog suffers too. Owners begin to neglect their pet, feeding them irregularly and leaving them in dirty, unsheltered conditions. Their collars create sores when left unchanged, leading to infection, parasites or, in extreme cases, the collar embedding itself into the dog’s skin. Not to mention the earlier example where an instinctive movement – following a scent – led to a dog being strangled to death by his tether.
So why is dog tethering still legal?
Unfortunately, the laws against dog tethering are complex and varied across the globe. Most countries agree that chaining a dog is cruel and inhumane, however, very few legislate against it.
- The UK, France, and Spain, for example, have strict policies against animal abuse but these do not address dog tethering directly.
- In Greece, the 2012 Animal Welfare Act tackles the issue, stating that animals must be kept ‘in a dry and clean space, protected from weather conditions, without being permanently tethered.’ ii Yet authorities fail to punish those who break this rule as the number of barrel dogs, chained to rusty barrels on the street, continues to rise.
- Across the Atlantic, US laws are inconsistent and vary between states. Some legislate against dog tethering based on duration (no longer than 14 hours in Nevada or 10 hours in Oregon); while others focus on the type of tether used (Indiana, Michigan, and Pennsylvania require a tether 3 times the length of the dog). Further still, states like Texas, Louisiana, and Massachusetts place restrictions based on weather conditions. Virginia is the latest to join this group, declaring it illegal from July 2020 to chain a dog during extreme weather such as hurricanes, storms, or heatwaves.
What the above countries share is an awareness that dog tethering is harmful. But, knowing the facts, we must push them even further to end this form of cruelty against animals.
Ways to help
- Take this article as encouragement to read up on the dog tethering laws in your region. If they skim over the issue, help to campaign for change. Many organisations are already working to achieve this, so sign and share petitions on social media to raise awareness amongst your peers.
- ‘Unchain a Dog Month’ is a great initiative which draws attention to the concerns of dog tethering. Take part every January and urge dog owners to keep their pet warm inside over winter.
- Animal shelters also need support. They regularly take in dogs suffering from physical and psychological difficulties due to being tethered. You can donate, foster, or even adopt to provide a dog with the care and attention it needs.
- Most importantly, ensure that you report any cases of animal neglect or cruelty to your local authorities. If you know of anyone struggling to control their pet and considering tethering, inform them of the issues raised in this article. Professionals will always be able to help with a misbehaving pet.
There is no justification for dog tethering in any country. The physical and psychological wellbeing of our pets and our communities is more important. Help us bring about change for anti-tethering laws worldwide so that next time, we can say with certainty ‘we don’t do that to dogs’ here.
Guest article by Sheryl Henderson