ChainFree Asheville
Breaking Chains. Building Fences. For the Love of Dogs.
Children & Chained Dogs
Chaining an unattended dog is dangerous for children.
The Humane Society of the United States reports: "Dogs tethered for long periods can become highly aggressive. Dogs feel naturally protective of their territory. When confronted with a perceived threat, they respond according to their fight-or-flight instinct. A chained dog, unable to take flight, often feels forced to fight, attacking any unfamiliar animal or person who unwittingly wanders into his or her territory."
Confining an unattended dog by chain or tether presents an extremely dangerous situation for children. Young children do not always recognize property boundaries or potential risks from contact with dogs. And unlike a secure fence or the walls of a house, a chain or tether does not prevent a young child from getting too close to the dog.
Please consider the following:
“Every forty seconds, someone is presented to an emergency room in the U.S. for dog bite related injury. About sixty percent of the victims are children.” - College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Dog Bite Facts, June 2004.
“Never tether or chain your dog because this can contribute to aggressive behavior.” - American Veterinary Medical Association, Safety Tips for Dog Owners, JAVMA News, May 15, 2003.
A chained dog is 2.8 times more likely to bite. - Gershman, Sacks, and Wright, Which Dogs Bite? A Case-Control Study of Risk Factors, Pediatrics, Vol.93 No. 6, June 1994.
Mothers Against Dog Chaining reports that at least 84 children in the U.S. have been seriously injured or killed by chained dogs since October 2003.
Please visit these sites for more evidence of the danger that dog chaining poses to children:
