As people, when we are cold, we move around to warm ourselves. A chained dog cannot even move around enough to stay warm! It's a lonely, hard life.

Though Minneapolis currently has some protective humane ordinances, there are currently no specific time limits or restrictions on outdoor chaining/tethering of dogs. Many cities and States have passed ordinances. St. Paul passed a humane tethering ordinance in 2004.

According to several Animal Control studies, dogs chained outside for the majority of their time pose greater risks for biting. The Center for Disease Control says that chained dogs are almost 3 times more likely to bite than unchained dogs.

Animal Control Officers and law enforcement could use this ordinance as a tool to more easily address neglected dogs, which could also result in fewer police or Animal Control visits.

Dogs are social animals by nature, and every instinct is to be with their family – their pack. Dogs suffer greatly when endlessly chained, even if their physical needs are being met. Seeing this suffering can be very distressing to people in a community, when they are powerless to help a chronically chained and emotionally neglected dog.