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In my opinion, chaining dogs outdoors should not be made illegal. There are times when it's safer for your dog to be kept restrained while outside, when you don't have the time or ability to hold the other end of the leash yourself. However, keeping a dog at the end of a chain for his or her entire life should not be acceptable or allowed, anywhere, anytime for any reason.

There ARE valid reasons for temporarily keeping a dog at one end of a chain or rope that is not attached at the other end to a human. For example:

- You've just moved and the fence isn't built yet.

- Your neighborhood association doesn't allow fences (more shame on them!) and you use a chain or play line to let your dog out to "do business" in the early hours or late at night.

- You are in temporary accommodations and the cost of a fence isn't justified.

And there ARE some safe ways of chaining a dog:

- Using a "play line" - a length of cord stretched between to "staples" of metal pounded into the ground. A short leash is snapped on the line at one end and to the dog at the other, allowing the dog to run and play without getting wrapped around a stake or a tree. Rope is used so there is "bounce" rather than the sharp jerk if the dog comes to the end of his line.

- From a line attached to the porch or back door - for pottying only.

- For a quiet dog, to be restrained when you are outside working or relaxing.

- When your dog gets sufficient exercise in walks or controlled off-leash activities.

However, there are certain things that should never be permitted or even considered:

- Leaving your dog on a chain 24/7/52.

- Leaving your dog on a chain for any length of time (i.e. 20 to 30 minutes) without water, shelter, shade, food or toys.

- Dealing with an escape artist using the "belt and braces" method - a chain AND a kennel or fence.

- Using the chain as your dog's only exercise or experience of the out-of-doors.

- Leaving your dog chained and unattended.

- Allowing your dog to be teased by humans or in danger from other animals while chained.

Of course for most of us, this is all just common sense and common decency - we don't need laws to tell us how to best care for our dogs. But there are people who treat their dogs as objects and accessories, who get a dog without understanding the work and responsibility involved, who can't be bothered to properly care for the life that is solely dependent on humans for survival. It would be nice to believe that education and/or peer pressure would be enough to get them to see the light and take proper care of their animals. This would allow those of us who use chains and play lines responsibly to continue to do so, while ensuring the wellbeing of all dogs.

But if common sense and education isn't enough to convince you (or to give you the ammo you need to convince someone else), perhaps a few facts and cautionary "tails" will suffice:

Potential dangers of chaining dogs

Unchain Your Dog: Facts

The Humane Society: Facts about chaining dogs

Dogs Deserve Better

Learn more about this author, Pat Gray.
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