SPCA Targets Chained Dog’s Owner
The Toronto Star
February 28, 2002 -- British Columbia’s SPCA is citing psychological abuse in its bid to have a dog owner charged for keeping his animal permanently tethered on a short chain. It would be the first time the society has intervened in a case of an animal it believes has been mentally abused.
The 11-month-old Rottweiler was never allowed off its 2.5-metre chain, had no shelter except for a travelling crate she had outgrown, and was made to live and eat in her own excrement, acting shelter superintendent Maureen Accleton alleged.
B.C. SPCA officials seized the dog from its Victoria-area owner who’d already been warned to remedy the situation within 24 hours. The pet will stay at the Victoria shelter until charges are laid under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
The SPCA drew up new guidelines last month saying it was considered unacceptable treatment to keep a dog tethered all the time. Temporary tethering is acceptable only if a dog might injure itself or others, or if its holding pen is under construction.
The SPCA has, in the past, only acted in instances of direct physical abuse, such as an injury to an animal, or the failure to provide adequate food, water or medical care.
“This is the typical backyard dog that we get complaints about regularly,” said Accleton. “It’s the typical scenario. The chain, the lack of exercise, the lack of human companionship.”
The Rottweiler was “fearful, unpredictable and unpredictably aggressive,” she said. “When you look at her, she looks confused. She goes from wagging her tail to attacking you in two seconds with no warning.”
Accleton said while she was confident expert witnesses could be found to testify to the dog’s psychological neglect, finding a prosecutor might be more difficult, since they’re notoriously reluctant to pursue animal-cruelty charges. Conviction can mean six months in jail or a $2,000 fine.
