Activist Groups Want Dog Chaining Banned In York County

[Marty]

ROCK HILL, S.C. -- Should it be illegal to chain a dog in your yard? Even for a few hours?

Monday night, the York County Council heard a presentation from animal rights activists pushing to strengthen laws against animal abuse and neglect.

"If we stop chaining, we'll help stop dog fighting, and we'll help stop abuse," said Alicia Schwartz.

Schwartz just moved to York County a year ago and was outraged driving around and seeing dogs chained up.

"I told my husband I just can't drive to the grocery store and look at this," she said.

Several animal rights groups joined together to encourage council leaders to ban dog tethering. They're pointing out similar laws from other counties where chaining dogs is now illegal.

Schwartz said tethering dogs leads to aggressive behavior, which endangers children and the dog.

"It makes dogs aggressive, and if they can't run, they're going to fight, and, unfortunately, children are often the targets," Schwartz said.

But Daphne Talbert said she has no choice but to chain up her dog, Brassy.

"I'm on a fixed income, and I can't afford a fence," Talbert said.

Her dog is chained under a large tree. There's shade, a dog house, and plenty of water and food there.

Talbert said tethering a dog in that way is not cruel at all.

"She's safe, and she's not going to hurt anybody that walks by," she said.

York County Council members were presented with a plan to ban dog tethering and require dog owners to build a fence, a kennel or install a runner line that allows dogs more freedom and movement.

Council chairman Buddy Motz said it's a complex, often passionate issue, but there's good points on both sides of it.

"We're getting a lot of e-mails, correspondence and data saying that you should tether dogs, and some that you should not tether dogs," Motz said.

Animal Control officials answer about 200 complaints a month about animal abuse. A case in July sparked outrage when 13 pit bulls were found chained up in a yard in Rock Hill. They were scarred from fighting, according to a veterinarian. The dogs will be given back to their owner, but they are currently still at Animal Control.

Schwartz said the presentation before county council is an opportunity to protect people and their pets by changing behavior. She and others said tougher laws could go a long way toward saving lives, and preventing serious, often deadly bites.

http://www.wsoctv.com/news/17225191/detail.html

[chinasmom]

I think everyone, but especially APBT owner's, since they own a lot of teethered dogs, should send any positive info on teethering like the one from Cornwell U. It could only help and may sway to show the one stupid woman that it isn't harmful.
I'm glad the State-wide ban fell through because I can't afford a fence right now for the yard. Even if I could, I can't let three intact males loose at one time. :eek:

[Sydney]

Oh when I see this lady on TV it makes me firey inside...

[JamesT]

I live in SC about an hour away from rock hill and have heard nothing of this thanks for the notice

[JBlazeRx7]

This lady needs to get L*#D! She sounds like she's the one that feels like she is chained to a dead stup!

[Sydney]

yeah she was on the news last night...talking about how tethering makes dogs more aggressive because when a child wanders into their area they go into fight or flight mode and since they're tethered they can't get away and bad things happen...I wanna know what people are doing to control all the stupid irresponsible parents out there letting their children wander into a dogs areas...

She was talking about dogs not being allowed to be tethered from 10pm-6am:
a) if your child "wanders off" during these hours then you have bigger fish to fry
b) where do you keep you dogs in your house...isn't that the whole reason you bought that property in the cut, and spent all that money building insulated dog houses...

I mean my dogs stay inside, but for some it is just not feasible common people this PETA licker needs to be taken down a notch...IMO

[Marty]

this PETA licker needs to be taken down a notch...IMOSydney I couldn't agree more, we need to nip this law in the butt ASAP, I don't agree with chaining a dog and mistreating it, but look at all the owners that chain responsibly :eek:

[Sydney]

well yes there are many more people out there chaining responsibly then not IMO...just as there are more responsible owners out there then not...but guess which owners get the highlights:rolleyes: But some people, like this lady, focus on all the wrong aspects of the issues. If anyone has any organized ideas I am there...and anyone in this area needs to come out to the positive event at PetSmart in Hickory this Sunday...it is to help raise money, and shed some positive light on this breed, right now we need some positive light shed publicly to help combat this lady's ignorance!!!

Bring pictures...make posters of all the positive fun loving aspects of wonderful animals!

[bahamutt99]

The whole perception of what a dog is, and what a dog needs, is just changing. People no longer view them as what they are. There's this whole drive to make things "better" for dogs, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're better off.

Anyway. That's my random, general thought of the day.

[Marty]

Sydney, Read this thread... http://www.game-dog.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26821

Nothing was ever done with it but we need to work on it ;)

Posted 02-15-2008 :o

[chinasmom]

And did you notice all the dogs in the clip were the ones that were taken from an irresponsible owner, or so they claim, but yet, they were to give the dogs back to him or her!!! They did show one lady's dog of another breed, but were specifically targeting ours I think. Like I said, get together all the info you can on chained dogs and send it. They need to hear it all.

[JBlazeRx7]

Well at least this is not over! This is a move in the right direction.


NORTH CAROLINA WIN!! SB 1172 http://www.adoa.org/images/M_images/pdf_button.png (http://www.adoa.org/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=103) http://www.adoa.org/images/M_images/printButton.png (http://www.adoa.org/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=103&pop=1&page=0&Itemid=33) http://www.adoa.org/images/M_images/emailButton.png (http://www.adoa.org/index2.php?option=com_content&task=emailform&id=103&itemid=33) Written by Administrator Tuesday, 10 April 2007 http://www.adoa.org/images/stories/states/norcarlEb.gifTHANK YOU ANDREA PRESS AND THE CAPE FEAR APBT CLUB!!!! SB 1172 has been tabled!! WooHoo, no anti-tether in NC. They are looking at ways to tweak it, and they should. The want a minimum tether, they are thinking 15 feet, swivels, access to water, shade, proper feeding schedule, and dogs to be socialized. I agree with all, yet 10 feet is a better minimum. I personally use 15 feet, but 10 is 314 square feet. It is 3 times the recommended kennel size. I use larger because I have the room to do so, but have had dogs on 10 just as happy and exercised. What we need to do now is contact Senator Cowell and give her reasonable, safe tethering options. If they are going to write a law on HOW to properly tether, we need to help them make sure it is best for the dogs and do-able for the owners. E-mail janetc@ncleg.net (janetc@ncleg.net) This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 919-715-6400 with ideas, this is our chance to write our own suggestions for dog owners, instead of these new regulations we can't live with.
Oh and who was behind this you ask? Yup, Jean McNeill and the legal professor from Duke. Seems New Hanover County is paying their head animal control to work outside the area. Well, from what I gathered, the Senate sees her as a thorn in their side too, or rather, "someone with too much power for her position, fueled by a personal belief with no scientific basis". Perhaps I will drop her off the classifieds tomorrow. She may need them.
Consider this a win folks, one less state telling us what we can and can't do with our beloved pets. I am so proud North Carolina is able to see the difference between being responsible and being neglectful. Again I thank everyone who wrote, called, and prayed, I consider it an honor to stand next to all of you in the battle for our animals.
Andrea Press
CapeFear APBTClub
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