by Mel Mcintyre

Created on: February 07, 2009

In legal terms, a dog is the property of its owner.

On the one hand, he has the right to do with it as he sees fit. On the other hand, a dog is a sentient being that deserves to be treated with proper care and diligence. So is chaining a dog outdoors acceptable at some times and not at others?

Here's a typical example of how some people deal with the issue:

Everybody in a particular neighborhood has at least one dog. With one exception, they all chain their animals outside for some part of the day.

One owner leaves both his dogs tied up three times a day, but takes them in the rest of the time. Another family leaves the dog outside, tied to its dog house, all day long, every day, only letting it back in the house at night. Still another chains their dogs to a stake in the middle of the yard every afternoon for hours on end.

The problem isn't whether or not the dogs are comfortable, have enough food or water, or get too lonely. The problem is that they're unsupervised and run the risk of hurting themselves, hurting each other, or hurting passers by who might venture into the yards unawares.

Dogs are left outside for three simple reasons:

To go to the toilet
To take a bit of exercise
To get some fresh air

But as any dog owner will tell you, a brisk walk is enough to accomplish all three of these objectives. In most instances, a walk first thing in the morning and again in late afternoon or early evening will suffice. In any case, it isn't necessary to leave a dog outside for hours at a time.

The Great Outdoors
Chains or ropes cause their own problems, too. There isn't much room to maneuver, for a start. And every rope or chain has to be of a fixed length, which means movement is restricted.

Then there's the issue of the unexpected. Suppose a cat or another dog happens to find its way into the yard. Many dogs will attempt to chase the intruder, not realizing that before they get to their prey they'll run out of rope. That can either cause them pain or result in the rope breaking or the chain clip giving way. If that happens, said dog could be miles away before the owners even know it's missing. Or if another dog is involved, a fight could ensue with potentially serious consequences.

Be Responsible
The question isn't simply one of legalities: it's one of responsibility, too. Dogs are pets first and foremost, and pet owners have a responsibility to see that their animals are treated fairly and humanely. It isn't necessary to let your dog sleep in the bed with you, to buy it special

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