5 Ways to Help a Chained Dog

I just can't take people that chain there dogs outside!!!
Especially when it's cold or really hot!

Here are some ground rules and tips to help chained dogs:

1. Bring your dog inside! Dogs get bored and lonely sitting on the same patch of dirt day after day, year after year. Dogs want to be inside the house with their "pack": you! Read tips on housetraining and behavior modification to help your dog be a good “inside” dog. Did you know that inside dogs make the best guard dogs?

2. Get to know the dog’s guardian if you are concerned about someone else’s chained dog. See tips on talking to a stranger about helping their chained dog.

3. Call your local animal control office, humane society, or sheriff’s department if you see a dog who is:


* Consistently without food, water or shelter
* Sick or infested with parasites
* Too skinny

A city/county official or humane society investigator is required to investigate the situation if the dog guardian is breaking your community’s animal cruelty law. In most communities, it is considered cruel to leave a dog without food, water or shelter; to not provide medical care to a sick dog; and to keep a dog undernourished. Even if your city's ordinance doesn’t have an animal cruelty section, your state law will have a section that addresses animal cruelty. Your state laws are online: do a keyword search for "Your State Code" or "Your State Statutes."

Once you report the situation--don’t be afraid to follow up! Keep calling the authorities until the situation is resolved. If animal control doesn't respond, write a letter describing the situation to your mayor. The dog is counting on you to be his voice.


4. Offer to buy the chained dog from the owner. Just say something like, "I saw your dog and have always wanted a red chow. Would you sell him to me for $50?" You can then place the dog into a good home. Although some chained dogs are aggressive and difficult to approach, many are very friendly and adoptable. Don't offer to buy the dog if you think that the owner will just go right back out and get another dog.

5. Put up a fence. Fences give dogs freedom and make it easier for owners to approach their dogs, since they won't be jumping at the end of a chain. Fences don’t have to cost much if you do some work yourself. You can attach mesh fencing to wooden or metal posts for the cheapest fence. Chain link is easy to install, too. Visit our Building Fences page for more information.

ASPCA's Top Ten Ways to Prevent Animal Cruelty >>
What to Do When You Spot Animal Abuse >>

In need of rescue "Lover Boy" (cage 7)

Can anyone help save this beautiful guy? He has been at the Edison Shelter since Nov. 1!
He is a large (about 85 lbs) pit, but so lovable, we call him "Lover Boy" (cage 7). Lover Boy is a light brown, unneutered male, about 4-5 yrs old, and just sits in his cage waiting for someone to take him out. We have never heard him bark or show any aggressive tendencies toward other animals.
The Edison Shelter will not adopt out pits to the public, so his only way out is through a rescue. He is strong and powerful, and will need the right person and family who will care for him properly and keep him disciplined because of his size, but he is a sweet boy with soulful eyes.

If you can help, please let me know.
Thanks very much for any help you can offer to help Lover Boy.

Elda Hubbard
eldahubbard@hotmail.com

Located at:

Edison: Municipal Animal Shelter
125 Municipal Boulevard, Edison - (732) 248-7278