Lexington, KY - In October 2006, I wrote an article entitled "Unchain My Heart" which detailed the negative consequences of keeping dogs tethered or chained outside. Since that time there have been laws passed in five states addressing chaining issues, while cities and communities in 29 states and the District of Columbia have enacted chaining ordinances.
In Kentucky, Louisville and Jefferson County have led the charge. Thanks to the efforts of a local group called SOAR (Speak Out and Rescue), a chaining ban has now been proposed before the LFUCG council.
The mission of SOAR is to speak out on behalf of abused, neglected and chained animals, and to help rescue those in need. SOAR will work in conjunction with local shelters and rescue groups and help transport, advocate and educate in order to create a better Kentucky for all animals.
SOAR is an individual group, not governed by any organization, which will benefit animals throughout Kentucky, regardless of location. SOAR will also work with the government to change laws and ordinances in order to help animals and hold their abusers accountable for their actions.
SOAR's first major undertaking is a Chain-Free Lexington campaign.
Chaining dogs, also called tethering, is a cruel and inhumane practice that is harmful to the dog as well as the human community. Like people, dogs are highly social animals, and being isolated on a chain is one of the worst cruelties imaginable for them. They become depressed, anxious, unpredictable and defensive about their territory. They are unable to perform many of their most instinctive behaviors, such as tracking smells, playing and running. Life on the end of a chain is no life at all. Chaining also increases the risk of bites and incessant barking.
For these reasons, SOAR is working diligently to get a chaining ban passed in Lexington. The Chain-Free Lexington campaign involves meeting with LFUCG Council members, going door-to-door to help individual dogs, writing letters to the media and building a coalition of concerned citizens. If you live in Lexington, and you think no creature should live on the end of a chain, we need your help. Visit www.lexingtonky.gov for a list of contact information for the mayor, vice mayor and council members. (Also, visit this column online at www.chevychaser.com for a list of contact information for local media outlets.)
Read below for simple things you can do for chained dogs:
Speak out to the Lexington Humane Society - Write to Lexington Humane Society and ask them to support a complete chaining ban for Lexington. If you have donated or volunteered for LHS in the past, please let them know this as well. Visit www.lexingtonhumanesociety.org.
Donate - SOAR is accepting donations of new or gently used leashes, collars and harnesses. You can drop your donated items off at Bluegrass Barkery in Lexington, at 113 Clay Ave. You can see their Web site at www.bluegrassbarkery.com.
You can also send monetary donations to SOAR to purchase hay, fencing supplies, leashes, collars, harnesses, promotional materials and other essential tools for helping the chained dogs of Lexington.
Make Your Mark - Sign our petition asking the LFUCG Council to pass a chaining ban at www.thepetitionsite.com/3/unchain-the-dogs-of-lexington-ky
If you would like blank paper copies of our petition to gather signatures, contact mafugate@gmail.com.
Sponsor a Fence - SOAR is looking for volunteers to sponsor, as well as build, fences for our low-cost fencing program. No experience is necessary. This program would assist low-income families and individuals who need help getting their dog off a chain and into a humane enclosure. If this is something you would like to help us with, contact Tracy at rescueadogky@yahoo.com.
Speak out for a Dog - SOAR goes door-to-door advocating for chained dogs in a friendly and non-threatening manner. We give out hay for the winter, treats, harnesses, leashes and collars. We also provide information to owners about the dangers of chaining, and we offer help with house training and other ways to get dogs off their chains and into humane enclosures.
Occasionally owners may choose to relinquish their dogs to SOAR so that they can find a new loving home. Dora, our first rescue, is one such dog. She was living 24-hours a day on a chain in a trailer park in Lexington. Thanks to SOAR volunteers, she is now living indoors with a foster family and receiving proper care and veterinary treatment. She's looking forward to finding her forever home.
Speak out to SOAR - Do you know of a chained dog in your community? Take a second to send us a message about him or her. SOAR will send someone out to advocate for the dog. We would also like to receive e-mailed photos of chained dogs in Lexington. Contact Mary Ann at mafugate@gmail.com.
Check out all the cities that have already passed anti-chaining laws by visiting www.helpinganimals.com.
LFUCG has already laid the groundwork for a chaining ban in the form of previous ordinances regarding vicious dogs and barking dogs. To animal lovers it may seem only logical to ban chaining, but there is plenty of resistance to this proposed ban. Our goal is not to ban outdoor dogs but to ban the unattended chaining of outdoor dogs. Dogs contained in a securely fenced yard or an adequate outdoors area fare far better than dogs on a chain. Only by speaking out to our local government officials in the council and at LHS will we be able to realize our goal.