We are asking the wonderful, community minded town of Merritt to consider joining other cities in B.C. in establishing a Tethering Bylaw for dogs. (This photo was taken from  marketing material for anti-tethering on the internet and is not a direct representation of any particular dog.)

After many have despairingly watched a dog spend its life inhumanely tethered to a fence, on a short chain, on the side of a cement driveway, alone all day, every day, and unable to get any help from a community or provincial organization because Merritt lacks a tethering bylaw, we are asking the city to please consider implementing one. Despite many distraught phone calls by many concerned citizens to Bylaw, the SPCA and various Animal Rescue groups about this dog the last few years, and visits and concerns voiced to this home, nobody is able to step in and assist because there is no tethering law in place. So it leaves many feeling helpless and at a loss. Countless people are wonderful animal owners, but because of the negligence of some, we feel the only responsible option is to ask you to consider enacting a tethering bylaw in whatever manner you deem appropriate. 

Inhumane treatment of any kind harms not only the person or animal  receiving it, but the psyche of the people and children witnessing it.

Many cities in Canada and the USA have enacted tethering laws with a maximum number of hours allowed in a 24 hour period to stop the neglect and abuse of dogs who are chained all day, every day.

Between 2012 and 2014:  14 municipalities and regional districts put restrictions on tethering dogs. Central Okanagan Regional District, Capital Regional District, Surrey, Terrace, Harrison Hot Springs and Squamish are among local governments that have done it. Surrey and Kelowna now ban doing it for more than 4 hours in a 24 hour period, and the tether must be a minimum of a 3 meter radius. Delta has a similar limit, while Burnaby’s limit is 1 hour. Lions Bay and New Westminster not only have a time allowance, but do not allow any tethering of unattended dogs. A number of other B.C. municipalities, including Port Hardy, Pemberton, Valemont, Sechelt, Oliver, Delta, Lions Bay, New Westminster, Burnaby, Sooke, Qualicum Beach, Chilliwack and Dawson Creek, have all taken steps to ensure that dogs in their communities do not suffer physically and psychologically from tethering.  

City of Merritt - Mission Statement: "The City of Merritt is a progressive, attractive, economically viable city that is socially responsible and environmentally sustainable."  We agree!

We are asking the highly respected mayor and city council to please consider enacting a tethering bylaw in Merritt. We can't turn a blind eye and forget these dogs, nor continue hurting, watching the suffering of a living being. We love and care about the health and wellness of our community, people, children and animals.

Thank you for showing your support for such a vitally important cause. This petition will be deactivated and close in August 2015.

Canadian cities adopting anti tethering laws​

Animal abuse not only hurts animals, it affects an entire community​

Hurting an animal hurts children witnessing it​

Unchain dogs and stop the neglect and cruelty​

BCSPCA Campaign against tethering​

Hidden Hurt - animal abuse and domestic violence related​

FBI now treat animal abuse as a felony ​

The link between neglect to animals and household abuse​

Animal abuse not something to be ignored​

Animal abuse and neglect related to other violence​

Animal Neglect is an indicator of more ​

Tethering is Not okay​

Unchain our friends and stop the abuse​

Powerful message from a dog

Side Note to everyone in the world:  There is no shame in speaking out for those who cannot speak for themselves. When you witness cruelty and neglect, speak up and talk to others. Support everyone in doing so. Silence protects abusers and enables abuse to thrive. Silence is more prevalent in small towns because everyone knows everyone, so people fear rocking the boat and angering others. But we need to rock these boats. Continue to speak out and do not stay silent. Abuse and neglect are a psychological need to exert power and control over another, and is often targeted at those who are weaker and cannot defend themselves, such as a dog or child. This is not okay. We need to stop the silence that allows this abuse to continue, and support one another in speaking up. Together we can make a difference and be the change needed.