Animal Protection Voters

Imagine having a chain around your neck that forces you to eat, sleep and defecate in the same place, day after day, exposed to scorching heat and freezing cold. Imagine being tied up, alone, with nothing to do and nowhere to go. This is the life of a continuously tethered dog.

Dogs are social animals who yearn for attention and a place in the family. But this issue isn’t just about the dogs. Dogs who spend their lives on the end of a chain become frustrated and agitated. The American Veterinary Medical Association has concluded that tethering dogs contributes to aggressive behavior.

Considering the following:
• children are the most common victims of dogs bites
• tethered dogs account for 25% of humane fatalities from dog bites
• tethered dogs are nearly three times more likely to bite than non-tethered dogs

Representative Miguel Garcia of Albuquerque’s South Valley has responded. He has introduced a House Memorial 19 in hopes of tackling this important issue. HM19 calls for the Department of Public Safety to conduct a study into the public safety and humane implications of persistently tethering dogs. It has been assigned to the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee. We’ll let you know when a hearing is scheduled.