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The Beagle as watchdog!

A little over a decade ago, shortly after my lady love and I got together, we decided to get a dog. We figured we would look through the local papers for a loving little dog who needed a new home. We headed out one Saturday with the paper and a cell phone to find the dog we would share our lives with.

The first place we called invited us over immediately. Within minutes we were outside the house and so was this sad looking dog. As soon as we exited our van the dog began barking and just going insane; jumping and pulling at the chain that was wrapped around its neck. It was amazing that this dog could move the chain because it was a tow chain and had massive links. This poor dog was a beagle but she somehow managed to drag that chain around.

We were told that this dog, keep in mind she is a beagle, was supposed to be an outdoor watch dog. They were getting rid of her because she, the beagle whose name is Mocha, was a poor watch dog. Well it was just too obvious that these people simply knew nothing about dogs.

So we took home this sad beagle named Mocha. A sweeter and more loving dog you couldn't find. What were these people thinking? They wanted a beagle to be a watch dog. That is just an insane notion but I couldn't figure out why they didn't see the stupidity of this. Beagles can be great hunting dogs but watch dogs?

Given my personal experience I truly want to say that chaining a dog outside should be illegal. The problems are in the hands of the stupid people, much like the folks we got our Mocha from. The sad thing is that there are more stupid people running around out there and we can't save all those dogs.

When stupid people own dogs they do things that end up hurting the entire dog owing community. If we pass laws making chaining dogs outside illegal then decent dog owners suffer. In this case decent dog owners should be able to chain dogs outside depending on the specific circumstances. I believe that decent dog owners would never use a tow chain to keep a beagle outside as a watch dog nor would they even use that kind of chain for any dog.

So do we look after the rights of decent dog owners or do we try to protect the dogs?

Decent owners are just as concerned about the welfare of dogs as anyone or they wouldn't be dog lovers. Unfortunately for those decent dog owners I have to come down on the side of the dogs. If you love dogs then this can't be an easy decision for you either. There is a dire need to protect dogs from stupid, uncaring owners. Owners like those from whom we got our beloved Mocha.

It's our responsibility as dog lovers to see to the welfare of dogs; after all they are hardly in a position to look after themselves. Yes, decent dog owners get messed around with when you make the chaining of dogs outside illegal but I think the other option is inhumane.

Learn more about this author, R.A. Scott.
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