Press Releases - The Humane Society and Adoption Center at PAWS

Breaking the Chain

January 2003
Kind News

Head thrown back, the dog howls. Spotting a jogger, he lunges forward, barking. His short chain straightens and snaps him back-but not before it tips over his water dish. Thirsty and bored, he lies down and watches the world go by. Hours blend into days, days into weeks.

Welcome to the world of a tethered dog.

All Tied Up and Nowhere to Go
Dog tethered means tying dogs outside for long periods of time. Experts warn that tethering is harmful and unfair to dogs. It can also be annoying and dangerous for people who live nearby.

“Many people think it’s OK to have outside dogs,” says Dee Thompson, of Florida’s Panhandle Animals Welfare Society (PAWS). “But dogs are social. They want to be inside with their families, not tied up outdoors.”

Tethering causes problems for dogs and people alike. “Tethered dogs aren’t socialized [trained to behave around people],” Thompson explains. “They bark constantly. And they’re more likely to bite, because they are protected their small space. “Without adequate shelter, tethered dogs often suffer in bad weather. They’re also at risk of being teased by passersby or attacked by other animals.

Help for Tethered Dogs
Thanks to PAWS, dog tethering is now banned in Okaloosa County, Florida. “Of course, that doesn’t totally solve the problems,” Thompson admits. “But it gives us the power to teach people to treat their dogs better. Education is the key to ending dog tethering.”

When PAWS finds a tethered dog, they teach his caregiver, or owner, about the problems of tethering. They offer low-cost spay/neuter operations and flea baths for pets whose caregivers cannot afford those services. The shelter also donates and loans crates (for housetraining) and dog-training videos. “That helps these dogs become better companions,” explains Thompson. “That way, their owners are more likely to bring them inside-and back into their lives.”