Most of us have seen dogs who live at the end of a chain, day after day, month after month, year after year. In the summer they lie panting in the hot sun, and in the winter they huddle in the corner of dilapidated doghouses, with no blankets or hay to keep them warm.  Dogs are pack animals. They are genetically wired to eat, sleep, hunt, and play in a pack. In the absence of other dogs, a dog’s human family becomes his pack. It is cruel to keep a highly social animal isolated in the backyard with no interaction or socialization.

Why would someone get a dog, only to leave him languishing at the end of a chain? Some people chain their dogs because they don’t have a fence, and they don’t want the dog to escape. Some people end up with a dog they never wanted, so they toss him out on a chain.  If you chain your dog, you are an irresponsible, uneducated, and cruel pet owner.  You are not giving your dog the physical and mental stimulation it needs each day.  It is completely unfair to expect your pet to live out it's entire life outside on a chain with nowhere else to go. 

We need to eliminate these kinds of pet owners in our state.  This is why I am asking all of you to take a stand and tell our state legislation that we are NOT okay with pet owners forcing their dogs to carry their lives out on the end of a chain.  Please take the 30 seconds to sign this petition to make it illegal to chain dogs in North Carolina and promote responsible and educated dog ownership.  I can guarantee that dogs everywhere will give you lots of wags and kisses. 

For more information, please visit http://www.unchainyourdog.org