A proposed Toledo dog chaining law would include "a 15-minute limit for chaining a dog outside unsupervised and prohibiting chaining a dog within 500 feet of a school."
I love the 15-minute limit unsupervised! Presumably it's longer supervised, which I can understand and live with, but by stating this and also putting it into context of the proximity to the school, they are recognizing the fact that chained dogs can and do become more aggressive than other dogs, and are seeing it as a measure to protect their children too, as a community solution, and not just a--gasp--'animal rights' solution.
In West Palm Beach, Florida, officers are doing sweeps for suffering animals in the heat.
"Take this dog for example, a female pitbull named Diamond. Animal care and control has her now. She was seized last week, after authorities took these photos of her tied up outside in the heat in a yard in West Palm Beach. The temperature that day was a sweltering 93 degrees and Diamond had no shade, except for a small dog house.
Captain Walesky said, "we try and explain to 'em it's a bad idea. but not only is it a bad idea, it's a law. You can't do this. In Palm Beach County, it's illegal to tie a dog up outside between 10 in the morning and 5 in the evening."
Having a law enables the officers to do what is right and just and what people are asking them to do: save the dog's life, and stop the suffering.
But while most Pennsylvania residents 'get it,' there's still that 10-20% who just don't get it, and need to have their actions legislated. I don't care if you're intelligent or not, you have two eyes, and it's time you open them and your heart and have a good look around at the suffering of chained dogs and the suffering of neighbors forced to endure watching it.
This message on the DDB Facebook fanpage shows the typical ignorance we fight: "I'd like to know what your alternative is for an outside dog other than chaining? We had a beagle and he was an outside dog for 16 years chained to a doghouse with shade, food, water, and attention several times of day. He broke his chain several times and ran to neighbors luckily or would have been run over by traffic...or train. In late years, was blind and deaf. Isn't it just as cruel to pen up a large dog in a 3X5 cage in a house for 12-16 hours a day, lying in their feces and urine? What about their rights? What about the handicapped persons in nursing homes who have to sit in a wheelchair or bed for most of their day? Are you standing up for them too?"
This message is so problematic on many levels. First, it attempts to confuse, by dragging in totally unrelated issues and assuming that it's our responsibility to advocate for all societal wrongs: "What about the handicapped persons in nursing homes who have to sit in a wheelchair or bed for most of their day?"
Second, it states their beagle was an 'outside' dog. If you look in any of the breed books, there is no such thing as an 'outside dog;' these are just regular dogs of every different breed, every single one of which has many others just like it living inside as part of a family. The only difference is the level of responsibility assumed for that dog's happiness and well-being by the dog's caretakers.
Third, she states that: "for 16 years chained to a doghouse with shade, food, water, and attention several times of day." Attention several times a day? My arse! I'm 100% sure that dog was lucky to get any food/water on a daily basis, let alone attention several times a day. Every chainer tries to make out like THEIR dog is the exception to the rule that chained dogs are neglected, and puts a beauty of a spin on it so it appears like the dog led a dandy of a life. In truth, any dog spending 24 hours a day on a chain is by that very virtue neglected and in my opinion abused.
Fourth, she says "He broke his chain several times and ran to neighbors luckily or would have been run over by traffic...or train." My question is, if he were so happy there, why was he breaking his chain? Why was he running to the neighbors? Maybe because he was seen there and treated with love and respect?
Fifth, she tells us, "In late years, he was blind and deaf." There is no mention that in those years he was indeed given a reprieve from the chain due to his immense physical challenges, but it appears that he was left chained, unable to see, and unable to hear. I can imagine very few greater horrors than to not only be unable to see and hear, but to be nothing more than a sitting duck for any animal or human intending to do you harm. You may smell him coming, but without seeing or hearing, there is no way you could avoid him or fight him off. You are totally vulnerable to death at each and every moment, and without love or light to guide you and give you safety, death would indeed come as a welcome release from the crushing fear.
Sixth, she implies that there is only one alternative to chaining your dog outside: "Isn't it just as cruel to pen up a large dog in a 3X5 cage in a house for 12-16 hours a day, lying in their feces and urine?" Why in God's name would any human with an ounce of decency cage a dog for 12-16 hours in his own feces and urine? Who wouldn't take their dog out to the bathroom? Did you not know that crates are to be used only as tools and only as long as it takes to get the dog trained, then the dog can have the run of the house without incident? What about your dog living in your home with you as a companion, not a prisoner? What about building a fence so your dog can go outside to potty and then come back inside with his pack? Have you heard of walking a dog on a leash? Why are none of these humane possibilities even thought of as an option?
And lastly, she states: "What about their rights?" Here's the one place we agree, Anita, because that's exactly what I want to know. WHAT ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS?
Having just spent five 10-hour days on a chain on their behalf, I'm asking that same question of my state legislators. WHAT ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS? Despite having endured one week of absolute and mind-numbing 10-hour days of torture on that chain, I still cannot fully comprehend the horror of being there ad infinitum. I so looked forward every day to the magic hour of six o'clock, and I watched as the minutes and seconds dragged on. What if getting off the chain were not an option? What would I do?
I can honestly say I've never waited for a weekend more in my entire 46 years--EVER--and I've pledged to enjoy every single second of my freedom before I force myself back on that chain on Monday. To think that these dogs cannot look forward to freedom for any amount of time is truly unconscionable. I cannot endure the mere thought of it for their sakes.
Pennsylvania legislators, I am personally holding you accountable for opening your eyes and seeing the suffering of our friends. I am asking those 80-90% of PA citizens who agree with me to join me in holding them accountable.
It's time for this abuse to end, and it's time for people like Anita to grow up, and go buy a dog book for Pete's sake. Some things are common sense, and if you don't have any, then don't have a dog or find a way to buy some. Common sense, that is.
Pennsylvania, and the world, MUST stop tolerating this abuse of Man's Best Friend. If this is how we treat our best friend, I would hate to see how we treat our enemies.
Random incidents or thoughts from the day:
1. My new friend Cathie (don't know her last name) brought me water, sun chips, and magazines. I told her I wasn't allowing myself to read as it wouldn't be fair to the dogs, but I would save the chips for later. She's a very sweet and caring woman.
2. A young girl who works at the Capitol brought me out a bag of pretzels and a water. I wonder if she read my blog from yesterday? Oops!
3. Oddly, by sheer coincidence, an Altoona man I met at a Sheetz one time came wandering by. When I met him before, he was very interested in getting involved, so I had him go to a street in Blandburg, Cambria County (Senator Wozniak's district) where there was a chained dog at every house, and see if he could do any ejumakatin'. He told me that he was physically threatened there by the residents when he tried to discuss their dogs with them. He described it as 'a scary place, man.' Ah, welcome to my world!
4. Deb Smith came and chained up with me for a couple of hours. She was very excited because her house rep hasn't been supportive of chaining legislation, but she is being challenged in the upcoming election by Gene Stilp. She spoke to Gene, and he's fully in support of the legislation, so she called Sue Helms and told her that. Her office immediately said she'd call Deb back on Monday. We all need to push the issue with our reps. Enough is enough.
5. A college student at Harrisburg Area Community College was inspired to do her speech on the issue after seeing the news articles this week. She came to interview me, and was super excited about making a difference and spreading the word that chaining has to stop.
6. Joe surprised me in his beautiful Camaro around 3:00, took me to dinner at 6:00, and played professional photographer, again.
7. So many of you in the Harrisburg area are bringing me water, worrying about me all day (just like the dogs), and wanting in some way to make a difference. I truly am in awe of your kindness, and humbled by it. Thank you.
8. I'm asking any of our supporters who might have business attire in sizes 10-14 (assuming the fasting drops some weight off me, which would be the 10, I'm currently a 14) that they no longer want, to send it along to me. If I receive clothes that don't fit me, I will share them with some of the needy people I meet on the streets of Harrisburg. I want to be decently dressed every day to present a positive image of our work for chained dogs, but have very few business clothes myself. If you have anything, please send to P.O. Box 23, Tipton, PA 16684.
9. I'm embarrassed to admit what I thought was blood in my urine and a uti was actually red from the beet juice in the veggie drink I got at the corner Juicy Rumors each day! My test from Tuesday night came back fine, and I got suspicious it could be the beet juice, and I was right! Well, at least now we all know…if you drink beet juice, and it turns red, don't panic like I did...
http://www.rawfoodsupport.com/read.php?2,130704,130747
From the above website: "It's quite normal for the wee to turn red on consuming large amounts of beetroot juice. I'm not sure it's down to depleted HCL, as it's rare to find someone whose wee doesn't turn red after consuming beetroot juice. Mine does, and I've been raw for two years (100%)."
10. Enjoy your weekend, everyone. Please, if you haven't contacted your Senator yet, it's SO important. Please make the call on Monday.
To view pics from Day 5, visit the webpage at: http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/FidosFreedom/day5aug6.html
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