Articles and Facts

A study by the Centers for Disease Control, "Which Dogs Bite?" found that chained dogs are 2.8 times more likely to bite. The dogs most likely to bite are male, unneutered, and chained.

In a press release for Dog Bite Prevention Week, the American Veterinary Medical Association stated, "Never tether or chain your dog because this can contribute to aggressive behavior."

The USDA issued a statement in the July 2, 1996, Federal Register against tethering: "Our experience in enforcing the Animal Welfare Act has led us to conclude that continuous confinement of dogs by a tether is inhumane. A tether significantly restricts a dog's movement. A tether can also become tangled around or hooked on the dog's shelter structure or other objects, further restricting the dog's movement and potentially causing injury."

In 1997, the United States Department of Agriculture ruled that people and organizations regulated by the Animal Welfare Act cannot keep dogs continuously chained, "The dog-tethering rule is designed to prevent the practice of permanently tethering dogs and not allowing them proper exercise as specified under the Animal Welfare Act."

Association of Shelter Veterinarians

From the Association of Shelter Veterinarian’s Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters: "Tethering is an unacceptable method of confinement for any animal and has no place in humane sheltering (HSUS 2009a). Constant tethering of dogs in lieu of a primary enclosure is not a humane practice, and the Animal Welfare Act prohibited its use in 1997 for all regulated entities (APHIS 1997a)."
	Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters (page 13)

According to Delise's study of fatal dog attacks from 1965-2001, 25% were inflicted by chained dogs of different breeds. Another 17% involved dogs roaming off their property (some of these roaming dogs had broken their chains.) Unaltered male dogs are the most likely to attack.

"A fatal dog attack is always the culmination of past and present events that include: inherited and learned behaviors, genetics, breeding, socialization, function of the dog, physical condition and size of the dog, reproductive status of dog, popularity of breed, individual temperament, environmental stresses, owner responsibility, victim behavior, victim size and physical condition, timing and misfortune."

Fatal Dog Attacks Web site

Most of us have seen them: dogs who live at the end of a chain, day after day, month after month, year after year. In the summer they lie panting in the hot sun, scratching at the many fleas running over their skin. In the winter they huddle in the corner of dilapidated doghouses, with no blankets or hay to keep them warm. The life of a chained dog is a life of deprivation and loneliness....

By Lori Oswald — Donovan was not a unique dog. He did not pull a child from in front of an oncoming car. He did not bark during a house fire and save an entire family from death. He did not win a ribbon in an American Kennel Club dogs show, or even in a community fun match. Indeed, Donovan was considered quite an "ordinary" dog....

By Dan Paden — Here's a chilling fact from government statistics: Chained dogs kill as many children as do firearms, and more than falls from trees, playground equipment and fireworks accidents put together. Since last July, 52 people, including 33 children, have been attacked by chained dogs or those who have broken their tethers. Four kids, one just 34 days old, were killed in the attacks.

By John Johnston — "After reviewing over 431 cases of fatal dog attacks it is apparent there is no single factor that translates in a lethal encounter between a person and a dog(s),” study author Delise says. “A fatal dog attack is always the culmination of past and present events that include: inherited and learned behaviors, genetics, breeding, socialization, function of the dog, physical condition and size of the dog, reproductive status of dog, popularity of breed, individual temperament, environmental stresses, owner responsibility, victim behavior, victim size and physical condition, timing and misfortune.”

By Dr. Marty Becker — Experts agree that chaining increases aggression in some dogs. "Rather than protecting the owner or property, a chained dog is often fearful for itself, particularly poorly socialized dogs or those with a previous negative experience," says Rolan Tripp, affiliate professor of animal behavior at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Colorado State University. "When tethered and exposed to a potentially threatening stimulus, one thing the dog definitely knows is, `I can't get away.' In that circumstance, a reasonable response might be, `Therefore I'm going to try and scare you away by growling or, worse yet, biting.' "

By Ingrid Newkirk, President of PETA — Most people have no idea that at many animal shelters across the country, any pit bull that comes through the front door doesn't go out the back door alive. From California to New York, many shelters have enacted policies requiring the automatic destruction of the huge and ever-growing number of "pits" they encounter. This news shocks and outrages the compassionate dog-lover.

By Tom Hennessy — As for providing protection, Yarden dismisses the notion. "Dogs do not protect back yards. They may bark at people, cats, other dogs, birds, butterflies or falling leaves, but this is not protective behavior. This is boredom, and an intruder can easily override it with an offering of food or friendship. However, if the dog has free access to the inside via a dog door, he will protect the house because it is his den as well. Such dogs are the best and most reliable protectors. At the same time, they are also protected from the elements, abusive strangers, dog-nappers and poison."

By Judith Fish, M.S.W. — Thousands of dogs in South Florida and throughout the country are sentenced to life imprisonment with no possibility for parole. These dogs have done nothing wrong and have never committed a crime. Yet they're subjected to a punishment worse than death - life at the end of a chain. Many of these dogs are chained up 24/7 and some remain incarcerated like this for their entire lives. Most of these dogs have never been for a walk nor played a game of fetch. They have never enjoyed a ride in a car, and have never known a moment of love.

By Joel Freedman — During bitter cold weather, the humane society in my community received complaints about an old, gentle dog, chained outdoors day and night, who was trying desperately and unsuccessfully to burrow into the frozen ground to escape the brutal wind chill.... Even if the shelter is adequate, the life of a chained or otherwise isolated dog is lonely, unhappy and spirit-breaking.

By Cherine Bissinger — As I wake up cozy and warm on this bitterly cold December morning, I find myself anguishing over the same thoughts once again. Since the weather turned to subzero temperatures, I cannot eliminate the overwhelming feelings of empathy and desperation for the countless animals forced to endure a torturous existence by the hands of cruel, sadistic "owners" who willfully neglect their basic physiological and psychological needs.

With so many dogs being introduced into new homes these days, let's clear up some common misconceptions. Perhaps the most widely held misconception is the belief that dogs will be healthy and happy living in the backyard. Nothing could be further from the truth. Current studies prove that dogs isolated in backyards are prone to develop behavioral problems.

Dogs are pack animals, they love companionship. Dogs are social creatures, in fact, more social than humans. They need to be part of human families. Denied access to human living space can result in behavioral and medical problems.

August 1995 Issue of Whiskers & Wags — I'm familiar with hundreds of dog breeds, but what's an outside dog? Unless you're medically intolerant of the dog (and therefore can't take care of him in a medical emergency, so you shouldn't have the dog anyway), making a dog stay outside is a costly waste. If he's for protection, what do you think I want to steal - your lawn?

By Maleah Stringer — When it comes to getting involved in problematic or potentially conflictual social issues, many members of our society suddenly become deaf, dumb and blind. Most people simply don’t want to get involved because of the repercussions it might have on their own lives. They cite many different reasons for this but oftentimes they simply don’t realize that they can do anything to make a difference.

By Maleah Stringer — One of the questions that comes up frequently for groups that do animal rescue and deal with the issues of animal cruelty is that of the forgotten animal. You’ve all seen them — the ones chained or in tiny kennels in the back yard 24/7. It seems the only time they get any interaction with another living being is when they’re fed and if they’re lucky when their area is cleaned of feces. This isolation is particularly sad for dogs since they are social (pack) animals. Having very little interaction with either their human family or other animals can cause a number of behavioral problems.

By Michelle Rivera — "Dog people" fall into a number of different categories. There are those who become dependent upon their dogs for love, companionship and affection... those who admire dogs for their great beauty, their intelligence, their "conformation" to the ideals of specific breeds... and those who take in stray dogs and care little for their aesthetics, colors, coat or pedigree.... But there is another category, a very disturbing one, that those who all of the people in the above categories combined will never, ever understand....