A life spent on a chain is unacceptable

A well trained, loved dog will give you back far more than he ever asks for. A dog will put his life on the line for its owner and will gladly help both the blind and disabled. All it asks for, aside from the basics, is a little attention, some exercise, a warm, dry bed and most importantly your company. Sadly this is not provided to so many dogs in this area.

I have been shocked since moving here from England to witness the conditions that dogs are allowed to be kept in: Breeds from poodles to Dobermans are held captive on heavy chains. I have seen the same dogs left for years like this. When you think that they could live up to 17 years (but probably won't) in this same awful manner, it is just too sad to think about. Left out in the snow, rain and hot sun — whoever said this was acceptable? They must have never shared the company of a dog, or have no heart.

I work in a local school, with beautiful children who lack compassion for animals; I could share some awful stories. We all know that if you have a good relationship and strong feelings for animals, you normally have that same empathy for your fellow man. These children tell me that their parents are getting another dog that will go outside on a chain, to be used as a source of income from its puppies. We already have way too many dogs in Buncombe County; thousands are killed every year. This has to be stopped. Yes, it might be hard to enforce, but other states and counties have done so.

Our City Council needs to change the laws and do the same. Please write to Mayor Bellamy and other Council members, before July 1, asking for that change. Be the voice that these wonderful animals need. Thank you.

— Karen Untalan
Arden

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3 thoughts on “A life spent on a chain is unacceptable

  1. killarue

    Yes, yes, yes, I support your position and would condemn any person(s) who exploit, abuse and neglect a dog. However, you may want to focus your energy towards the English pasttime of Fox hunting. Certainly, foxes should have the same concern, and protections under the law. The point being that the world is full of people doing bad things whether it be tradition or sheer ignorance. Besides, what was the point of indicating that you are from England!

  2. mystwalker

    Thank you for your great letter. Any intelligent, caring person would realize that life spent on a chain is unacceptable.
    Chaining creates a negative emotional and psychological environment for animals that are social by nature. I can’t believe that some people don’t understand how chaining a dog is tantamount to abuse. When I see a tethered dog I get so angry and also very sad. Why would you want to have a dog if you intend to leave it tethered with little or no chance to interact with your family. If your dog has been banished to the yard because it has unacceptable behavior – it is your fault – not the dog’s. If you don’t have the time or inclination to properly train and care for a dog – don‘t get one in the first place. If you already have a dog and you realize that you don’t want to spend the time and give it a loving home – don’t condemn it to a life on a chain. Find a home where it will get the care it needs. Call an animal rescue group in your area and let your dog be adopted by a new, loving family.
    Cities all over the country are banning animal tethering because of increasing awareness that tethering is abusive and dangerous. Please ask your Mayor and Council members to do the same.

  3. John A. Smolkin

    As an animal lover, I hate to see an animal on a chain for any length of time. So I applaud the efforts of those trying to change things.

    But I have a question for the animal lovers out there. How many of you buy and consume neatly packaged “red meat”? The meat industry is an exceedingly cruel business that abuses animals on a large scale. The meat industry makes chained dogs look like kindergarten, because at least the chained dogs are allowed to live.

    The next time you buy “hamburger” at your supermarket, stop and think about what you are buying, and what you will be eating after it is cooked. It is a dead animal body part cut off the corpse of a cow that has been shot in the head, hung upside down, bled, gutted, then dissected. All for our perverted palates.

    I’d like to see the storage, sale, and consumption of “meat” in Asheville outlawed. Meat is murder!

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