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Today's Poll!Group protests abuse of dogs
Dogs Deserve Better Missouri area representatives Melody Whitworth, right, and Sheila Ehler, left, watch as Bozo, a service dog belonging to Leonard Steinman checks out one of the doghouses on the steps of the Capitol during the group’s Chain Off 2012 campaign. Chain Off is a national campaign held annually around 4th of July by the nonprofit organization Dogs Deserve Better, aimed at raising awareness about the plight of chained and penned dogs, as well as the dangers of doing so.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Several Missourians joined counterparts in more than a dozen other states Friday, chaining themselves to dog houses to show that keeping dogs on chains is a bad idea.
The group “Dogs Deserve Better” wants more cities, counties and states to pass laws that prohibit, or at least strictly regulate, keeping dogs chained up outside owners’ homes.
On their website, www.dogsdeservebetter.com, the group noted the problems they said chaining creates.
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Comments
him 11 months, 1 week ago
Protesting is a waste of time. People are going to do what they are going to do anyway. They are not going to think twice because they read this. Plus how is keeping a dog on a chain any different than having the dog on a leash such as in the picture?? And forcing them to go with you out in this hot weather instead of laying at home in the shade just so you can try to prove your point?
kentheco 11 months, 1 week ago
Exactly, dogs don't walk on hot concrete/asphalt if they don't have to, forcing one to do just that is another form of abuse.
dogsdeservebetter 11 months, 1 week ago
As one of the "activists" there, I must clarify a few things: 1) I have a real full-time job, helping chained/penned dogs is my volunteer work. 2) Keeping a dog on a chain IS different than walking on a leash and I shouldn't have to explain that difference. 3) The picture is misleading because the man walking his dog was not a part of our chain off campaign. He stopped by to let us meet his dog and show his support. The dog was being walked by his caretaker, as dogs should be. 4) It is not a waste of time. It was done to bring more awareness to the plight of chained/penned dogs. I am not talking about a person tethering their dog for 15 minutes to go potty, we are talking about dogs that live their lives at the end of a chain, with little to no human interaction, socialization, or playtime. Some don't even have the basics such as shelter, and feeding them and making sure they have fresh water may be an afterthought. They are the forgotten dogs. They, over time, can become territorial of their little space they live in which increases the dangers and risk of dog bites, especially in children. This is no life for a dog or a way he should have to live his whole life. We work to bring stronger laws to cities, states, and communities to make this form of abuse illegal. We work to educate the caretaker and assist with other services for their dog, such as fencing, training, vetting, etc.. Dogs deserve to live inside the home, WITH the family, where they belong.
dokeus6 11 months, 1 week ago
So where are you when a child is abused sexually or is beaten to an inch of their lives? Have you ever had a child in your family molested? If you did, the dog would be the least of your concern!
katydidds 11 months, 1 week ago
So where were you...a child is being abused right now...what are you doing about it?
How does helping the cause of animal abuse in any way interfere with effort to stop child abuse? In fact is it likely the same monters that abuse animals that move on to abuse children.
dokeus6 11 months, 1 week ago
Where am I? I'm raising my children that is where I am. If I saw someone beating a child, you can beat I would not stand idly by watching.
I'm not against people protesting against animal abuse. I posted what I did to question why is there no one standing up for the children who are the innocent victims of the evil that befalls them? Who is going to stand up for a little girl who was locked in a closet for ten years by her mother? Who is going to stand up for that child that was left to die in the back seat strapped down in a car seat? This piece of news has gotten more coverage than either one of those stories. Why is that?
kaypeart83 11 months, 1 week ago
unchainyourdog.org/Facts.htm
JCLifer 11 months, 1 week ago
Judging by the lack of any crowd at this "protest" I'd say it was a waste of time. No dogs were helped by this little display.
kaypeart83 11 months, 1 week ago
...and you know this how? These two women and their cause (DDB) were featured on many news outlets (TV and newspaper) not only locally but around the United States. I bet that at least one person who heard about it was interested in finding out more and perhaps looked DDB up on the internet or donated money to the group.
katydidds 11 months, 1 week ago
Well I guess it is a good thing that what you say has little concequence in this matter. It got your attention, you apparentky are just not smart enough to see the message. I personally know of one dog that was helped get off a chain after 10 years due to this article.
This national organization saves and improves the lives of abused animals EVERY DAY.
steen8169 11 months, 1 week ago
I think this is a wonderful thing. People need to speak up for dogs, because they can't speak for themselves. There are no laws to protect animals and we need to change this. If more people became involved the world would be a better place. No dog should be chained outside, what's the point? Don't have a dog if it's not going to be a pet and part of your family. Anyone who can chain a dog and leave the dog outside during the cold winters or hot summers should be chained up right beside them. I give alot of credit to these girls who were there that day...they are angels!
apmoberly 11 months, 1 week ago
Don't listen to the negative comments, DDB! Keep up the fight and give the dogs their voice. I know how many lives you've changed both canine and human. I love the passion of the protest and encourage more. Change starts with ONE voice, ONE act, much like that ONE person who stood up for abused children, exposing sexual predators, etc. KEEP IT UP!
RobinB 11 months, 1 week ago
Thank you to the girls who sat out there to get the word out that there are thousands of chained and penned dogs all over the country that need to be brought into the home. It is cruelty to the fullest to think your dog is a live lawn ornament or a live alarm system. Get a light bulb and bring the dog inside the home.
online_editor 11 months, 1 week ago
I removed some comments that included personal attacks or responses to personal attacks. Please remember to stay focused on the issues. Thanks. --Rick Brown, online editor, News Tribune
jennijones 11 months, 1 week ago
It takes a lot of guts to stand up for what you believe in, whether or not it's the popular thing to do. The folks in Jeff City helped contribute a lot towards the building of the new animal shelter. I applaud these folks for taking the time and effort to bring to light some of the deplorable living conditions these animals face and am surprised that anyone would be against them.
dokeus6 11 months, 1 week ago
Littleinvestor 11 months, 1 week ago
My hunting dogs live in large pens when they are not in the house. I have kept dogs on chains but that leaves them open to attack by another dog, or where we live attack by wildlife. Chaining dogs makes them more aggressive, probably because they have to drag that chain everywhere they go. That would make be a bit crabby.
Sequoia 11 months, 1 week ago
Dogs have the mental/emotional capacity of a 2 to 3-year-old child. You wouldn't isolate and chain a toddler, so you shouldn't isolate and chain a dog.
People who abuse animals are more likely to abuse people.
Raising awarenss of potential abusers, of both animals and people, in our neighborhoods is a good thing these protestors are doing. A neglected animal may just be the tip of the iceberg.
Attacking these protestors because they aren't solving all the rest of the world's problems is ridiculous. Pick your battles.
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