What is Unchain a Dog Month?

What is Unchain a Dog Month?

 

 

Animal cruelty is a huge topic. Many of us shy away from it as to not have to confront the conditions that some animals have to live in. From animal agriculture to pets, where the animals are, welfare must exist.

 

This month is dedicated to raising awareness of the chaining of dogs. Scenarios exist across the world where dogs are tied up. Pets and working dogs alike get tethered for hours a day outside. The psychological impacts for these animals are scarring. With little room to move and alone all year round, they suffer cold winters and hot summers. So what does this month of awareness do to help them?

 

Unfortunately, some owners aren’t aware that leaving their pet tied up outside is a problem. In July of 1996, the USDA issued a statement calling "continuous confinement of dogs by a tether" inhumane. With the rise of animal activists and organisations pushing this statement forward, by 1997 The Animal Welfare Act passed the law that no dog is to be continuously chained.

 

Not much more was done with the law until an unfortunate incident in 2005. This prompted a demand for stricter laws on anti-tethering for the safety of humans as well as dogs. It wasn’t until 2011 that New York dog owners were met with the law that no dog is to be tethered for more than 3 hours in any 12 hour period.

 

 

January is an important time of year to bring awareness of this welfare. As it gets colder no dog should be left outside, no matter how many blankets, it’s just not fair. We’ve all seen the joy of a dog bounding through an open area after being let off a lead. They deserve to have freedom for their physical and psychological health.

 

So, what can we do to spread awareness and stop dogs being chained?

 

1.  Give a dog a safe home

If you’re on the lookout for a loyal companion, think about adopting. You can provide a dog with a safe, warm and loving home after not having the opportunity at the start of its life.

 

2.  Spread the word

Keep talking about the issue with friends, family, colleagues and anyone else who cares about animals. The more we confront the issues and talk about them, the more organisations can legally do to change them.

 

(Current open petition to change the law in Georgia - Petition · Unchain Walton County, Georgia dogs · Change.org)

 

3.  Help out a friend

You may already know of someone who keeps their dog tethered outside. With winter closing in could you take the animal during the day if they go to work and this is the reason they chain their dog. You could make a huge difference to that dog’s life!

 

Don’t forget that if you know of an animal that isn’t being looked after to the welfare standards you can call the RSPCA 24-hour Cruelty Line on 0300 1234 999.

 

Here is their statement on dogs being kept outside in the UK:

 

'It isn't illegal to keep a dog outside, but they must have access to adequate shelter, food and water. It can be frustrating but we're only able to act when there is a concern about the dog's health and welfare.'

 

Find out more about dogs being kept outside

 

We all want to make the world a better and safer place for animals. The first step is learning about animal welfare and what we can do to help.