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Dear Council Member, Humane Society, etc., [Fill in as you need]

I am writing in regard to the recent controversy regarding tethering dogs. A few "humane" groups have begun providing one-sided information which presents all tethering of dogs as cruel, making no attempt at providing a balanced viewpoint. Their biased views often lead uninformed people to believe that anyone who tethers a dog in anyway is inhumane - guilty of neglecting their dog. I find this over-broad view not only inaccurate, but alarming - the welfare of dogs can actually be damaged by anti-tethering legislation.

This zealous attitude against any form of tethering is the latest fad in "humane" circles. Certainly no one wants to see neglected dogs - none more than I - but for an organization to equate absolutely the tethering of dogs with neglect is untenable. Anti-tethering information, without exception, presents tethering of companion animals in the worst possible light. No mention is made of dogs allowed to enjoy pleasant weather on tethers of adequate length with proper shelter available. Surely it must be agreed that this is as much a reality as dogs provided with inadequate shelter.

Rarely is any advice given as to where the dog should be kept, except "in the house". One is left to infer that a dog would always be better off inside the house, garage, or more likely than not, if one reads between the lines, locked in a shipping crate. Most young dogs are FAR better off outside on a tether than left in a house, when unattended.

Today most homes are working homes, and a pet dog is going to spend some time alone. Do we want to raise a generation of children who look upon dogs as inanimate objects, like a toy, "put away" in a shipping crate when "not in use" and taken out at their leisure when they are ready to attend to its needs? Realistically, are we to assume that all young dogs can be "in the house" all day when the family is away? At the same time, we do need to educate owners that long-term, day in, day out, nonstop tethering is just as inappropriate.

How many dogs, should anti-tethering legislation pass, are going to be dumped at shelters for "destruction of property" if left in a home? Or escape from inadequately fenced yards? In the "good old days" people took the time and effort to make an appropriate place for the dog when it was not with the family. This was often a kennel, more often a tether attached to a dog house. What ever happened to the common sense "good old days"!?

Today most people understand that the statement "chaining makes a dog mean," is a myth in its purest form. Instead, it is understood those whom own a dog with aggressive tendencies tend to keep them confined (tethered). Without doubt, a certain percentage of tethered dogs are neglected, and a certain percentage are aggressive, but there is NO evidence that tethering is the cause of aggression. Genetics plays a much larger part in determining how sound a dog's temperament is. Tethering does not make a dog "mean".

I simply wished to make known my thoughts on appropriate tethering of dogs, and register my opposition to any legislation which restricts a dog's ability to enjoy warm sunshine, fresh air and rolling in the grass during the day. Tethering, done correctly, is a humane, appropriate form of confinement for companion dogs. For any of you who have questions concerning appropriate tethering, I would like to direct you to a website with information on the issue. The website address is: www.workingpitbull.com/housing2.htm

Thank you for your time and interest in this issue,

Sincerely,

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