June 25, 2009
Animal Advocates to Chain Themselves to Doghouses
Special to Huntingtonnews.net
Huntington, WV (HNN) -- Several members of the Marshall University student organization The Vegan and Vegetarian Life Society, along with other local activists will put themselves ‘in the doghouse’ in order to raise awareness about the inhumanity of keeping dogs perpetually chained.
Hundreds of animal advocates will chain themselves to doghouses, trees and other fixed objects in locations across the country from June 27 through July 12. Nonprofit Dogs Deserve Better’s annual “Chain Off” is a unique, week-long event – part protest, part performance art – designed to raise awareness about the suffering endured by the millions of dogs that live out their days in chains.
On Sunday, June 28, 2009 local activists will chain themselves at Ritter Park (8th St. side) from 10:30am to 6:30pm.
“Living chained for 8 hours in the heat will be uncomfortable and restrictive, but our 8 hours of discomfort is nothing compared to the daily suffering of so many dogs who spend their entire lives at the end of a chain, living in a small patch of mud, their chains wrapped around a tree, baking in the summer sun or freezing in the cold, desperate for affection or even just a walk. Most of us can barely begin to imagine the agony and loneliness of such a life for a social, intelligent animal like a dog," an anonymous spokesman told HNN.
Dogs Deserve Better holds Chain Off, now in its seventh year, around the July 4 holiday when "freedom" is on the national consciousness. The Pennsylvania-based non-profit (with area representatives in numerous states, including here in Huntington) is focused exclusively on ending the antiquated practice of keeping a dog tied up for its life, or for extended periods of time. Although increasingly recognized as abusive, 24/7 chaining is still prevalent and accepted in many places in the United States, including in West Virginia, where existing animal welfare laws allow dogs to be chained for their entire lives.
Because of the humanitarian and public safety issues posed by chained dogs (perpetually chained dogs are responsible for hundreds of attacks on children every year), a number of states, cities and counties have started passing laws addressing how long people can chain their dogs. California and Texas recently passed statewide laws that put specific time limits on chaining and a number of other states, including Pennsylvania and South Carolina, are currently considering similar legislation. Several hundred cities and counties nationwide also have so-called anti-tethering laws, some banning the practice entirely. Our very own Huntington, WV Councilman Jim Ritter has proposed a tethering ordinance for the city. Please contact your council person to voice your concern for these animals.
Nationwide, supporters of the anti-chaining cause will observe Chain Off by tethering themselves in parks, private yards, and other places between June 27 and July 11.
Who: Dogs Deserve Better
What: Seventh Annual Chain Off
Local Site: Ritter Park, 8th St. side
When: Sunday, June 28- 10:30-6:30
For more information: www.dogsdeservebetter.org or www.unchainourworld.org
Share This Story:
Make HNN Your Homepage (IE Users Only)
Animal Advocates to Chain Themselves to Doghouses
Special to Huntingtonnews.net
Huntington, WV (HNN) -- Several members of the Marshall University student organization The Vegan and Vegetarian Life Society, along with other local activists will put themselves ‘in the doghouse’ in order to raise awareness about the inhumanity of keeping dogs perpetually chained.
Hundreds of animal advocates will chain themselves to doghouses, trees and other fixed objects in locations across the country from June 27 through July 12. Nonprofit Dogs Deserve Better’s annual “Chain Off” is a unique, week-long event – part protest, part performance art – designed to raise awareness about the suffering endured by the millions of dogs that live out their days in chains.
On Sunday, June 28, 2009 local activists will chain themselves at Ritter Park (8th St. side) from 10:30am to 6:30pm.
“Living chained for 8 hours in the heat will be uncomfortable and restrictive, but our 8 hours of discomfort is nothing compared to the daily suffering of so many dogs who spend their entire lives at the end of a chain, living in a small patch of mud, their chains wrapped around a tree, baking in the summer sun or freezing in the cold, desperate for affection or even just a walk. Most of us can barely begin to imagine the agony and loneliness of such a life for a social, intelligent animal like a dog," an anonymous spokesman told HNN.
Dogs Deserve Better holds Chain Off, now in its seventh year, around the July 4 holiday when "freedom" is on the national consciousness. The Pennsylvania-based non-profit (with area representatives in numerous states, including here in Huntington) is focused exclusively on ending the antiquated practice of keeping a dog tied up for its life, or for extended periods of time. Although increasingly recognized as abusive, 24/7 chaining is still prevalent and accepted in many places in the United States, including in West Virginia, where existing animal welfare laws allow dogs to be chained for their entire lives.
Because of the humanitarian and public safety issues posed by chained dogs (perpetually chained dogs are responsible for hundreds of attacks on children every year), a number of states, cities and counties have started passing laws addressing how long people can chain their dogs. California and Texas recently passed statewide laws that put specific time limits on chaining and a number of other states, including Pennsylvania and South Carolina, are currently considering similar legislation. Several hundred cities and counties nationwide also have so-called anti-tethering laws, some banning the practice entirely. Our very own Huntington, WV Councilman Jim Ritter has proposed a tethering ordinance for the city. Please contact your council person to voice your concern for these animals.
Nationwide, supporters of the anti-chaining cause will observe Chain Off by tethering themselves in parks, private yards, and other places between June 27 and July 11.
Who: Dogs Deserve Better
What: Seventh Annual Chain Off
Local Site: Ritter Park, 8th St. side
When: Sunday, June 28- 10:30-6:30
For more information: www.dogsdeservebetter.org or www.unchainourworld.org
Share This Story:
Make HNN Your Homepage (IE Users Only)
