My name is Mikayla. This is a photo of my dog Raleigh and I. Raleigh was rescued from a hunter who continues to keep more than 20 dogs in the wooded area of his backyard chained to trees. She was born from a litter that was added to the mix of unsprayed and unneutered "hunting dogs". The former owners' excuse to keeping them tied was that since the dogs aren't traditional pets the standards are different.

One of the current ordinances in Charleston County regarding animal welfare states the following:

Ch. 3, Article 1, Sec. 3-7

No person or those owning, or having possession, charge, custody, or control of any animal, shall cause or fail to provide said animal with sufficient good and wholesome food, clean water, proper shelter, care and veterinary treatment when needed.

Animals that are tethered continuously are not given these basic needs.

Instead they are subjected to many consequences, such as: 

* Animal Attacks

* Embedded collars causing sores to gaping wounds

*Sporadic Feedings

*Lack of Shelter

*Extreme Weather such as flooding and heat waves

*Theft/Facing harm from other humans (beatings, torture, burned alive)

Your help is needed in convincing the city council of Charleston County, South Carolina to create a law that will erase the loopholes in the current legislation.

This petition will be sent directly to the council chairman J. Elliott Summey and his Clerk of Council.

It will show citizens of Charleston County agree that every animal deserves to live in habitable conditions, regardless of what their "purpose" is.

I graciously thank you for your participation.

Charleston County City Ordinance (Ch. 3, Article 1, Sec 3-7 for Animal Care laws)https://www.municode.com/library/sc/charleston_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH3LI_ARTIANFO_S3-7ANCA

A story on why chaining is cruel: http://www.peta.org/blog/rest-peace-peaches-abusers-behind-bars-graphic/