Bill Would Forbid People From Leaving Dogs Chained Outside
http://wjz.com
March 1, 2007 ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND. Forget to bring your dog inside at night, and you could spend 90 days in jail.
As Suzanne Collins reports, that would be a possibility in Maryland if the House approves a bill under consideration Thursday to forbid people from leaving dogs on short leashes outside all night or in cold weather.
The dog-chaining bill has been considered before without much success. There is little reason to suspect this is the year it will pass.
However, sponsors say it would be a good idea to tell people not to leave pups outside under inhumane conditions.
"It's not unusual to find dogs that have sores just covering their necks from where they've been rubbed raw trying to escape chains and teathers because they're so frustrating from being in the same spot for so long," said Julie Janovosoky from the International Fund For Animal Welfare.
The bill includes provisions requiring chained dogs to have access to food and water, and says that collars cannot be too tight for the dog. Violations would be punishable by up to 90 days in jail or a $1,000 fine.
