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Tethering: A Danger to You and Your Dog
By Kimberlee Leonard
It can be frustrating seeing a dog tied up to a tree making the person wonder why someone would own a dog if they didn't want to interact and enjoy them. As frustrating as it is for people to see, it is even more frustrating for the dog, because they require lots of exercise to live healthy happy lives. Dogs that are tethered for long periods of time are at risk of not receiving essential requirements to keep them at optimal mental and physical health.
Tethering refers to keeping a dog tied at the end of a chain, rope or other restraint. There are many ways in which dogs are tethered. Simple tethering on an outdoor patio of the local coffee shop is not the tethering referred to here. In the legal sense, tethering is confining a dog to a post, fence, tree or other stationary object for more than three hours in a twenty-four hour period. Unfortunately, many of these animal victims barely get a three-hour period off of the tether to run, play or even go to the bathroom.
Animals that are tethered suffer from a variety of injuries. Becoming tangled can lead to breaking legs or strangulation. Chronic tethering can lead to neck and head injuries from yanking and pulling on the tether while attempting to get free. Collars and tether lines especially pinch collars, cause lesions and cuts that may become infected. These infections can become life threatening if left untreated. Additionally tethered dogs may not have adequate access to shelter or water and may become dehydrated.
Dogs who are tethered easily become bored. Unable to satiate their boredom they develop high anxiety. They are more likely to attempt escape if startled or frightened. Unable to defend themselves in perceived danger, dogs become easily aroused and aggressive. For dogs tethered with choke chains or pinch collars, even being part of a pulley run system is dangerous. When dogs are agitated, they are more likely to become entangled in the chain tether and subsequently hurt themselves, break a leg or possibly choke themselves to death.
According to a study conducted by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), dogs who are tethered are 2.8 times more likely to bite than dogs who are allowed to roam a property freely. Conversely if a dog does not become more aggressive, they can become overly fearful. The dog will learn to protect its space, whatever that space is - thus tethered dogs may become aggressive to their owner.
The "tethering law" became effective on January 1, 2005 and makes it illegal to restrain a dog to a stationary object for more than 3-hours in a 24-hour timeframe. This is a misdemeanor offense punishable up to a $1000 fine and six months of county jail time. When complaints arise, an animal control office may open an investigation for abuse. The investigation can lead to much more serious fines and jail time as well as having the animal confiscated and placed in a shelter.
Exclusions to the law are dogs tethered to a pulley system that allows for the dog to run in a larger area or dogs tethered according to campground/recreational areas or shepherding regulations. Pulley systems must not use pinch collars or choke chains. Rules in campground and agricultural situations exist for the safety of the dog as well as other animals and people in the area. The tethering law works in conjunction with California Penal Code section 597t, which states that animals must have access to food, water and shelter.
If you feel that an animal is being abused by chronic tethering, contact the Los Angeles Animal Services at (888) 452-7381 to report this or any other type of abuse or neglect.