Vick: Welcome to Pennsylvania! You've Come to the Right Place

Well, it's official. Vick is now an Eagle; he's coming to Pennsylvania.

(I'd like to call it Pennsyltucky, but I get in trouble from the Kentucky folks. I understand, Kentuckians—I wouldn't want Pennsylvania dragging me down either, but doesn't it just have a fun ring to it? You could use it too!)

Come on up, Vick, we've got our welcome mat out for ya'!

While some here in Pennsylvania may be astounded that we care so little about our animals as to put the welcome mat out for Mike Vick, I don't join them in their astoundyism. (Yeah, I know it's not a word, but I like it.)

How could I?

Pennsylvania has been making headlines in the last few years as, amongst other things, the puppymill capitol of the East and the state where abusive puppymillers, backyard breeders, and dog chainers are running rampant, killing and neglecting dogs, and prosecuting activists who videotape the cruelty and then help the animals. The abusers are never even brought to trial.

Anti-chaining legislation in Pennsylvania, now in it's third session, still languishes in committee, whereas in Georgia there are now at least 14 counties with very strong anti-tethering laws in place.

Vick, you got out just in time; seems they were about to stop tolerating you there!

But don't worry, Vick, we're your people! Come on up, the water's warm!

Pennsylvania has chosen abusers over animals every day of the week and twice on Football Sunday. The Philadelphia Eagle Powers that Be decided to bring Vick here despite angry protests and boycotts of their programs and sponsors—having obviously felt bringing him here was well worth any 'temporary discomfort.'

'Temporary discomfort' being blogs such as this, articles by animal advocates and organizations, and protests by groups who manage to round up enough bodies to make somewhat of an impression on media folk.

We are told by 'real' sports columnists to "just go away and be quiet," "your actions won't get you anywhere," and "stop behaving like children" because we have the nerve to boycott, protest, and make facebook groups against the Eagles and their actions in bringing Vick to Pennsylvania.

We are told, in disdain no less, that "our actions just bring down the cause of animal advocacy. If we just wrote a gentle letter and 'used this for the next occasion' that we would be better off. Just let Vick play now, slink off to our corners, and admit defeat. Be good little children, for Christ's sake."

I was once told that the difference between France and America is that in France they fear their people, and in America we fear our government.

It's time America started fearing it's people too! Social movements are not brought to fruition by people staying at home and shutting their mouths. They are created by momentum, unison, and righteous action to overthrow unrighteous behaviors.

Someday, and someday soon, enough people will be boycotting the Eagles or their ilk long enough and hard enough to take them out. And then columnists who tell us to step back and be good little girls and boys will be eating their words.

Someday, and someday soon, enough people will be demanding justice for animals that the correct people will be prosecuted, and prosecuted well and hard, for committing crimes against those who depend on us for their very existence.

And someday, and someday soon, enough people will be standing firm around advocates who film cruelty and take actions for animals that the powers that be will find they are no longer the ones in power.

The thought of that day brings a smile to my face.

So people, go for it! Protest! Boycott! Create petitions! And most importantly, create change.

For that day is coming, and soon.


—Tamira Ci Thayne, founder and CEO, Dogs Deserve Better

Investigation into CT State Law Against Chaining Dogs for Life

I'm doing a TV interview here in Connecticut on Sunday about the chaining of dogs for life, in which case I decided to investigate how chaining is being addressed in Connecticut...in case you don't know it, there is a chaining law in CT which states that dogs cannot be chained for 'an unreasonable amount of time.' Granted, that's not the best law, it's very vague, but it certainly implies that dogs cannot be chained 24/7, right? Check out what occurred in only 1 hour of being in the state:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdzIvpAP0H0

I had already found the AC phone number this morning, and had it ready to call when I found this chow who I had received complaints about, only to discover at 3:43 p.m. I was already too late to actually get to speak to a Middletown, CT Animal Control officer! I then transferred myself to a policeman, who had no idea what the state law was, and found it much more prudent to argue with me about the fact that although I called at 3:43 my time, probably her time it was actually 3:45 p.m. and it was already 3:44 p.m. his time, which means that the AC was totally justified in closing up shop a few minutes early due to time differences...

He did say that the cops would 'go by there a few times tonight' looking for infractions of state law, and would inform the animal control officer of their findings. I asked him if the police would inform me of their findings if I left my number, but he told me that no, they indeed would not, and if I wanted any help to contact the AC again. I insisted he transfer me to the AC, where I left the following message:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m96yW-M93L4

I have not had a chance to edit yet or add photos and make a 'real' video of this, but check out these two videos of a dog chained in Middletown, CT on Friday, January 23, 2009.

Dognamic Duo's Tour Days 5-9: Please Click and Watch!

We've been posting the videos and diaries daily online as promised, even though we haven't had time to answer e-mails or send out a mass e-mail since Day 3. But we're still here, there, and everywhere! Each day has been an adventure, and each day has shown us (and you) something different. We've never worked harder in our lives, out driving and filming and meeting people and doing press by day, and writing and creating videos each night until midnight or 1 a.m. But it's been worth it!

Please click the links and watch each day's video, and pass them along. The more views we get on our videos, the more likely America's average joes are to watch them and learn about the cruelty of chaining.

So far we've spied 656 chained or penned dogs in 9 states in 9 days. Already 536 dogs more than our goal! We know that may be overwhelming to you, but don't turn away. Stand with us and fight for better rights for man's best friend.

We've talked to at least 20 caretakers per day and given them fencing applications, leashes, collars, toys and treats. Most of the time they've been receptive, once in awhile they've been 'not so nice', to put it gently. We've been bitten and lunged at. But we keep on going!

Below are the daily video links. Please click them and watch! Make these efforts worthwhile...the bottom line is we need your support to make change. Watch, pass along, and help chain-ge the world.

Day One, Missouri
Day Two, Arkansas
Day Three, Louisiana
Day Four, Mississippi
Day Five, Alabama
Day Six, Georgia
Day Seven, South Carolina
Day Eight, North Carolina
Day Nine, Tennessee

We ARE promising you we won't show photos or footage that is too graphic...but don't turn away from the need you will see. We also throw in some humor each day, because each day should begin and end with humor, no matter how tough it gets in the middle!

So watch the videos and read the diaries (you'll also find them embedded on our pages), please pass them along, and send them to any press you think might help us spread the word.

More than ever, we need your support. This tour is opening our eyes even though we thought we knew how bad it was, and we hope it will open yours too.

There is hope. Dogs Deserve Better is handing out hope along with brochures, fencing applications, advice, training tips, dog food, treats, collars and leashes on a 12 day tour. The intention of the tour and the subsequent pictorial and video footage is to show how prevalent chaining and penning are in the U.S., educate the nation that it is common in all states, and put forth the idea that it is indeed something that must be stopped; that it is not humane and not an acceptable way to house and keep Man's Best Friend.

We are handing out new collars and leashes for as many dogs as we can afford, plus give out treats and dog food in addition to educational materials and discussions. If you can help fund the trip and the supplies we'd like to deliver, it would be very much appreciated. To donate, visit the page at http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/dognamictourpre.html