By tony

September 26, 2007 6:00 PM | Link to this

Tell Jarrard that chaining a dog causes more than a significant amount of grief for the dog!

By Freddy K.

September 26, 2007 6:01 PM | Link to this

Going to far.

By Linda

September 26, 2007 6:07 PM | Link to this

I think this ban should be aimed at people who have dogs as pets and then chain them outside to a doghouse etc and forget about them. Why have a dog if he has to live under those conditions. I see nothing wrong if someone puts their dog out on a tether to let it go to the bathroom or a couple of times a day.However,if he is left out all day and is barking and disturbing the peace then it becomes a problem.

By Jade

September 26, 2007 6:23 PM | Link to this

http://s224.photobucket.com/albums/dd107/AADRlegislation/Happy%20on%20the%20chain/

Tony knows nothing. The dog doesn’t realize that he or she isn’t supposed to be happy on the chain. They enjoy the visual freedom of not having a fence block their view.The only matched study (Cornell University)comparing dogs on chains to dogs in pens showed NO adverse behavior caused by tethering. Anti tether laws punish low income families and cause family pets to be dumped at shelters. They cause dogs to be locked in bathrooms, basements and cages. They do not help dogs - only education can do that. Legislation never will and only creates new criminals to burden the legal system. Animal rights is a cult, it’s supporters are mentally ill. They don’t care about animal welfare, and believe it hinders their ultimate goal of “total animal liberation”.

By monteal

September 26, 2007 7:30 PM | Link to this

way to say it jade dido from me, the government is getting to BIG and reaching far into my home to legislate everything I do.

By Calvin

September 26, 2007 8:10 PM | Link to this

If a person can’t afford to live in a location where a dog left outside can be behind a fence, then they have two choices. Get a dog that they can keep inside, or do without a dog. It’s not rocket science, people!

By jd

September 26, 2007 8:13 PM | Link to this

A draft change in the law, presented to commissioners at a work session Tuesday afternoon, also would dictate that each dog have a minimum of 150 feet of enclosed space for exercising.

Wow, there are humans confined to smaller quarters. This mess is ridiculous.

By Dave

September 26, 2007 8:52 PM | Link to this

I believe that dogs on chains have a lot of fun. They run to the end of the chain, whip backwards, and the chicken says, Ah say, Ah say, Dog! You have a problem there Dog? Here your go Dog - SMASH. Dumb Dog. Doesn’t get the picture, doesn’t get the picture at all. If you know what I mean. Sad. Pay attention boy …

By capt bill

September 26, 2007 9:43 PM | Link to this

What I would like to do to those that oppose any chains, is tie them to a chain , whip their a*, and see how they enjoy it. Its all about pet responsibity and ownership. If you cant provide for a dog, then dont own one.

By pfc

September 26, 2007 9:49 PM | Link to this

subdivisions have to stop this crazy ban on fences first of all. They should come up with a plan to allow the homeowner to put up fences that would allow his or her pet exercise a dog is the best deterrent to crimes against your property. Give the homeowners the freedom to put up fences and believe me burglaries will go down drastically. As long as someone feels that they can walk on to your property without confrontation then burglars and thieves will always feel they are welcome to walk on to your property and do whatever they want.

By moonbarker1

September 26, 2007 10:15 PM | Link to this

There is a lot of mis-information being passed to the council folks in Forsyth. The animal rights movement has certain agendas that they wish to meet. One of those is to not have any animal owned by humans. Now if we make it so very expensive to own a dog only the rich will own them. That is not very fair to the children who will never know the love of a dog because they were born into a family with a low income and could not afford a fence.
Now if a person wanted to make an issue with the fact that a certain group seems to be targeted they may be able to say it was race related and not wage related. Might get someone not re-elected. Of course that is not what I am saying here,…but then I am not of the clergy.

By Greg

September 26, 2007 10:23 PM | Link to this

Oh, this is such garbage. There are plenty of people who chain or leash their dogs outside who are not dog fighters or animal abusers or neglecters, yet we have to have knee jerk reactions. Chaining dogs outside or inside should be allowed. How about going after real criminals instead of outlawing everything you lump in with dog fighting. Of course they have no problem with tying up horses or rodeos or hunting of animals. These people are political shills looking for pc points from politicians who can’t get anything meaningful done. It is so funny that I hear people get so uptight and upset about a dog fight, but not a moose or bear being shot from hundreds of yards away with a rifle with a scope, like it has a chance and then mounted on a wall. People have their priorities messed up. Get it straight pc crowd.

By Sandi

September 26, 2007 10:35 PM | Link to this

I would like to weigh in on this matter. I agree with some of the comments that have been made and some I find offensive. Everyone is entitled to their opinions and those of us in the USA have a wonderful document that allows us to make decisions about our property.
Tethering done appropriatly is great exercise for your dog. Better than leting them lay around and get fat. (of course I have several that could use a bit more exercise.) Studies have been done at Cornell University and a new study that is being published in the next month or so that both state tethering makes no difference to the dogs. In fact the only study that shows that tethering is not good for dogs is a study in the CDC that was done by Denver MAS in which they got rid of about 800 of the 900 dogs that they started with. If that is not enough to show that this study is totally bogus then how about the fact that the only “control group” they had was by random phone calls and no follow up was done by DMAS personel to actually see the dogs that were being used as “control dogs”. If this is not enough to make you go did they use any true scientific methods then I will tell you that the study was done to “prove a point” and to make sure that there was “evidence” that tethering is not good for dogs because it is inexpensive and would allow lots of folks to own dogs.
Dogs have been tethered for thousands of years. Does anyone truly beleive the first “dogs” the cavemen had just hung around cause the cavemen were cute? Not likely. They were tethered until they decided to stick around.

By Nunya

September 26, 2007 10:55 PM | Link to this

I wish all animal rights people would just die…

By Kate

September 26, 2007 11:06 PM | Link to this

Nunya, I’ll bet you’re the type of person who gets a dog and leaves it tied up to a tree for the rest of it’s poor life. What a disgusting thing to say.

By LITA MARCOVSKY

September 26, 2007 11:10 PM | Link to this

All those mindless idiots who don’t care whether their dog is chained 24/7 or not must be people who breed or in some way exploit animals. Probably “ruby-ridgers” too. If a dog can’t be integrated into your family as a real member, get yourself a stuffed dog! What do you think people do in Manhatten? They walk them you lunatics! Make your $$ some other way & leave our canine family members alone! You wanna chain something? Chain your kids!Just call me another yankee AR person!

By Ghost

September 26, 2007 11:42 PM | Link to this

Lita, who died and made you an authority???? Sane people don’t consider pets “part of the family!” And do you know why that is??? It’s because something you OWN is not part of the family, it’s a possession! You’re the lunatic here!

By hermine

September 27, 2007 12:50 AM | Link to this

A dog can be VERY HAPPY on a proper chain setup, with more freedom than he could have in a fenced run. There is a right way to do this so that the dog has creature comforts and a feeling of calm, and that he is part of the great outdoors. HOWEVER unless the area in which the dog lives is protected from HUMAN BEINGS, by a fence, the chain leaves the dog very vulnerable to human mischief. And human mischief can cause a dog to defend himself, and turn into a STATISTIC. A little common sense goes a long way, but seems in short supply.

By Watching from Germany

September 27, 2007 12:54 AM | Link to this

Well num-nut, most would like to see you put-down too! American’s (Not all) with animals are seen around the world a being very cruel. No, lets chain you to a tree or post for 20 hours a day in the driving heat and bitter cold! Oh, yes let’s make that collar start to rub a raw spot on your neck-hey after about 30 days’s no probblem its crusted to your neck.. We’re having fun now! A chained dog is angry! even the Army does not chain their dog-they depend on them to live. You might have to one day-Oh but your chained up outside! Thanks for reminding me how I’m in NO hurry to get back to the US.

American & proud in Europe!

By Watching from Germany

September 27, 2007 1:12 AM | Link to this

That was for Nunya!

By Mary

September 27, 2007 4:11 AM | Link to this

Get an inground fence! There is availability in this community for inground fencing and it restrains dogs, while allowing them to participate in family activities.

By Kat

September 27, 2007 7:00 AM | Link to this

I have had dogs all my life and have not always had a fenced yard for them. They NEVER went on a chain. I took the responsibility to care and provide for them…call it ownership, but it is no different than having kids. I have the same basic duties either way. If you can’t (or won’t) have a fence, then you walk them…period. I’m sure the exercise would be good for most of the owners, too. And if pets aren’t members of the family, why have them???

By SharonH

September 27, 2007 7:14 AM | Link to this

These animal rights’ fanatics never know where to quit. If you give them an inch, they’ll take a whole freakin’ mile. After they win this one, then they’ll be dictating what you should feed your pets, how to dress them and how much exercise you are required to give them. Giving them table scraps will be punishable with jail time and so on and so one. Just yesterday I read about some animal “lovers” in Pennsylvania who grabbed the dogs when the house caught on fire but forgot the 4-year old kid. Some of these Humane Society hysterics would probably think that was just about right. Jeesh…….

By robo

September 27, 2007 7:19 AM | Link to this

Forsyth County dog owner here. We have a dog pen that is much larger than the proposed requirement. However, sometimes, my dog WANTS to be tied to the big black cherry tree in front, so we put him out there for a while and let him have another view. We never let him stay too long and he always seems to enjoy it. Most times when he comes back in the house, he gets a milkbone, which I am sure amounts to torture, right?

Now, are they going to arrest me for doing this, or maybe take my dog to the pound, where he sure won’t get his milkbone?

These idiot commissioners should at least try to consider the consequences of their actions against their constituents, but then they would have to actually think or work, right? That would be against the politician creed.

By The Purrfect Nanny

September 27, 2007 8:00 AM | Link to this

Dogs are not supposed to be on the chain. If you can not provide the freedom of a fenced yard, nor have the time ot either walk your dog three times a day or go to the dog park - you should not have a dog. For people with less time, get a dog walker during lunch time and let themprovide your dog some exercise. Dogs are domesticated animals, they want to be a family member and not sitting in the back yard day in day out. They also want to be with you and walk, run and play with you and not on their own. If you have more than one dog they want to play with each other - impossible on the chain without big risk on getting hurt. Even the mean old watch dogs, like Dobermans and German Shepherds are almost never chained in Germany, they are free ranging behind a fence protecting properties. I have seen so much bad things here in the US in matters of animal keeping, dogs and horses that it makes me cry sometimes. But on the other hand there are people who really care and do the right thing - kudos to them!

www.ThePurrfectNanny.com

By Jeff

September 27, 2007 8:12 AM | Link to this

People, say it with me:

P-R-O-P-E-R-T-Y R-I-G-H-T-S

Both the dog and the land are an individuals’s PROPERTY and said individual can do whatever he wants with his PROPERTY.

You nanny-state twits need to get a life and worry about yourself!

Big Government is NEVER the answer!

SMALLER government must prevail!

By ron

September 27, 2007 8:12 AM | Link to this

My dog spends his day on a run that is 200 feet long.There is a shade tree at each end.He has a house which he uses in inclement weather,plenty of water is available.Yesterday it was 91 degrees here and I went out and sat under his tree with him.There was a nice breeze blowing and we were both comfortable.Now the animal people would like me to confine this dog to a pen that measure 10’ by 15’.That’s smaller than my bedroom.I’m glad the dog can’t read.

By Whippet mom

September 27, 2007 8:15 AM | Link to this

Just one note about invisible fences: They should not be used for sighthounds (greyhounds, whippets, etc.)Since these breeds are so fast, they will be halfway down the road before the collar goes off. Also, these breeds have no body fat and are unable to regulate their own body temperature. They should not live outside in any season.. My whippets are inside dogs who like to play outside in good weather. It is imperative to have a fence for that.

By John

September 27, 2007 8:17 AM | Link to this

When our elected officials pass laws with absolutes - those of us who are reasonable become a casualty of the laws they enact.

I have two dogs and anyone who knows me would tell you they are both as spoiled as most suburban children. They are inside dogs and the backyard is fenced. One of the dogs is a sight hound and should never be off-leashe. He doesn’t care that a car is coming down the street when he sees a squirrel on the other side of the road.

On Saturday or Sunday mornings when I’m working in the front yard I secure him to a 25 foot chain. The three of us get to be in the yard together, he gets to say hello to the other dogs in the neighborhood while they’re being walked and I get the yard work done.

I understand the ordinance is designed to address those who leave a dog outside and chained for an extended period of time….but our elected officials lack the common sense to include language that will address the real concern without restricting the behavior of responsible pet owners like myself.

By JJ

September 27, 2007 8:22 AM | Link to this

I put one of my dogs on a chain in the back yard for no more than 30 minutes a day. My fence has a couple of holes in it that I have not fixed, so she has to be tied up when she is outside to do her business, unless we are out there with her. Other than that she gets walked twiced a day. But she is a puppy and I am afraid she will get out and get hit by a car. Mostly, though, both my dogs are indoor dogs. My 80 pound Lab thinks she is a lap dog…..

By TLW

September 27, 2007 8:23 AM | Link to this

California has a 2 hr chained rule. This would be okay. I too believe a dog should be a part of the family. What’s the point in getting one if he lives his life chained outside and you only see him one time a week to replenish his water and dry food jugs? I think it makes them mean and angry too. They are pack animals and very social.

By robo

September 27, 2007 8:29 AM | Link to this

Hey nitwit nanny, you have heard that horses, “domesticated animals”, must be tied to keep them from leaving the scene of the accident, right? No, they shouldn’t be tied for hours on end, but I would like for a nitwit like you to try your hand with an actual horse, not one that you read about in a kiddy tale, without tieing the “domesticated” horse.

I truly hope you enjoy Germany so much that you stay there. Plus, don’t even begin to “educate” me about the GS dog. I have had up to 9 at one time for many years of my life, and would love for you to mess with my current one’s very shady, humane tie/different view tree. Just try to unhook him. Funny, how he loves being out there and will do practically anything I train him to do after such mistreatment…wagging his tail while chomping on an industrial size milkbone.

By Earl

September 27, 2007 8:33 AM | Link to this

Monteal, some people are so dang stupid the government has to think and do for them. If leave a dog out on a chain 24/7 for 365 days of the year, you need to go to jail, you’re an idiot if you do that. A cruel idiot. No telling what you’re doing inside your run down trailor or your government provided project home.

By John

September 27, 2007 8:37 AM | Link to this

Hey TLW…thanks for sharing the CA rule with everyone. It sounds like a reasonable approach to address concerns about dogs that are habitually chained without excessive restrictions on those of us who are reasonable pet owners.

And to hear it came from the land of fruits and nuts! Forsyth council members must lack common sense and to be one-upped by the whackos out west is hilarious. And oh, I was born and raised there….maybe it’s time to pack up the house, load the two dogs in the SUV and go WEST! With the real estate death spiral going on there I might be able to buy a home with a fenced yard :)

By concerned for dogs

September 27, 2007 8:38 AM | Link to this

If they stay outside (penned or chained) during the day while you are at work, then they should be brought in when you get home and socialized and part of the family until the next morning when it is time again to go to work.

By Timmy

September 27, 2007 8:38 AM | Link to this

All animal rights group elevate animals to the same level as humans. I believe we should analyze the animal rights groups and see if they are indeed fit to live with humans. We could provide a place for them inside a kind of animal kindom. Of course the lions would be the kings.

By Kim

September 27, 2007 8:46 AM | Link to this

“These animal rights’ fanatics never know where to quit. If you give them an inch, they’ll take a whole freakin’ mile.” I bet you’re one of those people who says “if you let the gays marry, then a man could marry a goat.” I have a puppy & no fence. I walk her 3-4 times a day & my teen-aged pet sitter takes her out when she gets home in the afternoon. The only barking dogs in our neighborhood are the ones that are in a fenced-in backyard all day because their lazy a** owners NEVER walk them. I have literally NEVER seen these dogs; but I hear them. The only time my puppy is on her ‘country leash’ (rope) is when I’m working out in my yard, washing the car, etc.

By JJ

September 27, 2007 8:55 AM | Link to this

I have 8 dogs that live in the houses around us. One is a dalmation, that is on a chain between two trees 24/7/365. That poor dog NEVER gets off that chain, has a crappy doghouse, and his owner feeds and waters him twice a day. It breaks my heart to see this poor dog on the chain in all kinds of weather. When it’s freezing, he’s out there, when it’s thundering and lightning, he’s out there. It’s all I can do not to sneak over there in the middle of the night and take him away. There is another neighbor who leaves his little poodle tied to the garage door. I walk my dogs every morning, and I have to see that poor baby try and run and get yanked back to the door. Why have a pet if you are going to leave it tied up outside? Dogs are pack animals and want to be with the humans.

By Cherie Graves

September 27, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this

The animal rights movement is chipping away at traditional animal ownership use practices a bit at a time with the ultimate goal of the abolishion of all animal ownership, or use. Anti-tethering is just one more step along the way. Tethering has tens of thousands of years of practice for the containment, and safe keeping of animals. A tether is far more reasonable for a large dog than being crated inside of a home for eight to ten hours a day while the owner is at work. Dogs do not fare well left to their own devices, and must be contained for their protection, and for the protection of the neighborhood. Often dogs are not trustworthy left alone inside of a home, so the alternative would be a crate should a tethering law be enacted. The other alternative is one that has been played out all too often following the enactment of anti-tethering laws. The owner relinquishes the dog to AC to be killed, as they have no alternative for containing their animal. Renters are not allowed to put in permanent fencing, the animal may not be allowed inside the rental unit. Anti-tethering laws are arbitrary, and cause far more harm than good. Cherie Graves, chairwoman Responsible Dog Owners of the Western States http://www.povn.com/rdows

By DEM

September 27, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this

I have two dogs, and a six foot fence all around my backyard. They still get out. If chaining dogs is going be banned, then fining owners when their dogs are picked up by Animal Control should also be banned.

By British

September 27, 2007 3:28 PM | Link to this

Some people are so stupid. Dogs shouldn’t be chained up all day, i agree. But for these people that live in the STUPID subdivisions that ban fences, what are they supposed to do?!?! They dont want the dog chained up, but they want to complain about dog attacks all the time.

Why is it that the people in charge have no common sense?

By Andrea

September 27, 2007 9:03 PM | Link to this

Jade is absolutely right! It is unfair to assume everyone who prefers to tether their dogs on their own property are cruel. If anything, they are extremely responsible to be sure the dog does not wander off and get in trouble. And a ten foot tether is 3 times the size of a 10x10 kennel, 314 square feet compared to a measly 100 square feet.

By SharonH

September 27, 2007 9:57 PM | Link to this

*I bet you’re one of those people who says “if you let the gays marry, then a man could marry a goat.” *

You see Kim, this is exactly the type of fanaticism from the animal rights people that I am talking about. There is absolutely no comparison between the gay marriage issue and animal rights fanaticism. None. You are comparing the struggle of a certain group of people to have equality to the struggle of animals. Animals! Do you see how crazy that is?

By Fred

October 7, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this

The fence issue is important especially for those careless owners that let their dogs out and don’t keep track of them and they relieve themselves on other peoples properties, be a nuisance in the road or other properties and bark or harass other people. These people should have no rights and should not have the dogs simply to say they have a dog.

By twinsetta

October 9, 2007 5:40 PM | Link to this

To all of you so called animal right groups. You guys crack me up. It’s amazing how people jump on the band wagon when something as big as the Vick case surfaced. Before then, this issue about dogs on chains wasn’t even a thought. You guys had nothing to say but because someone with some type of status gets busted for dog fighting, now it’s all about the poor dog. Give me a break. I have two very big dogs (one being a rotty) myself that me and my family love very much and would probably hurt somebody if they even came close to doing something to our dogs. Hell, these dogs actually live better than we do.But like most people, I live in one of those NO Fence subdivisions and my dogs have no choice but to be on a chain if I want them to enjoy outside according to my homeowners assoc. So unless it’s late night, that’s basically the only time they can run free without someone calling animal controll. WOW!! If ya’ll where so true to your beliefs, I guess you left that one out. Let’s see what your comments are about having animal controll come out and take your dog away because someone saw you walking you dog and he’s not secure. How would you feel about the chain issue then? Regardless if your outside with your dog, let them see you walk that dog without a lease. Do you really think they will be more lient or would they do like usual and just take your dog? I have one of the most intimating dogs around so me not having him on a chain so he can get some sunshine is not an option. So, don’t blame the dog owner who may not have a choice in the matter. Blame your damn selves when they start putting all these dogs asleep because you all want to pass some stupid no dogs on chain law. I’ll be damn if i subject myself to something like that. Get a real life and come to reality all of you super DOG owners. Who in the hell made you kings and queens for all dog owners and how dare someone if think to type the words that certain people shouldn’t have dogs because they have to put their dog on a chain for 30 minutes or so. Let me guess you all have tiny dogs that you take in the store. No if any thing should be law, that should. How dare you talk about how inhuman it is to have your dog on a chain verses, having a dog in oublic place where you buy food. I’ve read several comments that I agree with and some just sound overly stupi, like that person doesn’t really have a social life so that’s all the time they have is spending it with thier significant other(the dog).

What’s truely sad is, your concerns are about whats happening with dogs verese helping solve the homeless problem along with being able to help less fortunite child survive and get the education they need. Now who’s the cuel one. Get a damn life, I’m out.