There are chained dogs scattered throughout back yards suffering an isolated existence all over Sumter County, FL. These dogs are chained 24/7 living in their own excrement. Their lack of socialization in conjunction with a lack of any outlet for their energy, can make these dogs aggressive which is a danger to our citizens. 1 in 4 dog bites are the result of a chained dog. Many states and local governments across the United States have successfully banned permanent tethering. Please read the following facts which outline why the citizens of Sumter County would like to see an Anti-Tethering Ordinance put in place. Summary of Proposed Sumter County Ordinance Changes Relating to Cruelty to Animals – Anti-Tethering: Revisions to the current tethering ordinance would permit temporary tethering for outdoor enjoyment purposes of supervised animals only; however, permanent tethering or chaining would be prohibited. This means that you can only tie your dog up outside when you are physically present with the dog. For example, when you are washing your car, gardening, or just sitting outside with your dog. This item was brought forth by Sumter County residents either concerned for animal welfare or that have experienced nuisance barking animals disrupting their rights to peaceful enjoyment. Permanent tethering results in: - Increase in nuisance complaints by residents for barking, animal cruelty and unsanitary conditions such as feces, excrement, foul odors, rodents and insects that pose public safety and health concerns. -Increased field operations staff time responding to nuisance complaints and attendance at court hearings for citations issued due to permanently chained animals. - Banning permanent tethering makes for safer neighborhoods and happier dogs all without adding burden to our animal control agency. - The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports chained dogs are three times more likely to bite resulting in greater incidences of dog attacks and bites to humans and animals. - Chained dogs are far more dangerous than free-running packs of dogs. - The victims of chained dog attacks are usually children who stumble accidentally into a chained dog’s territory. - Over 50 children annually are needlessly killed by chained animals. - Dogs naturally feel protective of their territory. When confronted with a perceived threat, they respond according to their flight-or-fight instinct. Chained dogs that are unable to take flight often feel forced to fight. - Chained animals are at more risk of being stolen and/or seriously injured or killed by another animal or person. - Chained animals rarely receive sufficient care and attention and suffer from sporadic feedings, overturned water bowls, inadequate veterinary care, exposure to the elements and little to no exercise. Chained animals spend their entire lives eating, sleeping, urinating and defecating in a single confined area. They are exposed to extreme weather such as the blazing hot summer sun and relentless thunderstorms. They also suffer from flea and tick infestation, heartworm disease, bugs, rodents and a magnitude of other parasites. - Dogs are by nature pack animals, social beings that thrive on interaction with people and other animals. A chained dog kept in one location for months or even years suffers immense psychological damage. A continuously chained dog usually becomes neurotic, anxious and aggressive. - Chained animals can easily become entangled with other objects that could lead to neck injuries, choking and strangulation. - The neck of a chained dog may become raw and infected from ill-fitting collars. - The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has stated, “Our experience in enforcing the Animal Welfare Act has led us to conclude that continuous confinement of dogs by a tether is inhumane. A tether significantly restricts a dog’s movement. A tether can also become tangled around or hooked on the dog’s shelter structure or other objects, further restricting the dog’s movement and potentially causing injury.” In 1997 the USDA ruled that people and organizations regulated by the Animal Welfare Act cannot keep dogs continuously chained. - The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) states “many communities have passed laws against long-term chaining of dogs. More people are learning that continuous tethering is bad for dogs. As pack animals, dogs have been bred for thousands of years to form a strong attachment to a human family. An otherwise friendly and happy dog, when kept continually chained and isolated, often becomes neurotic, unhappy, anxious and aggressive. In fact, studies show that chained dogs are much more likely to bite than unchained dogs.” - The American Humane Association (AHA) states “A sad, lonely, bewildered dog tied out back only suffers, and what sort of person wants to maintain suffering.” - The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has come out publicly against dog tethering. In a press release for Dog Bite Prevention Week the AVMA stated, “Never tether or chain your dog because this can contribute to aggressive behavior.” - Professional Animal Behaviorist Victoria Stilwell stated, “Many common behavioral problems could be avoided if owners understood how severely confinement can compromise natural behavior. Fortunately, local governments are becoming aware of the potential problems that chaining can cause for dogs and humans, and many cities and counties are making tethering illegal.” - Tammy Grimes, founder of “Mothers Against Dog Chaining”, commented that “children are dying because of the misguided belief in certain segments of our society that it is appropriate to chain a dog and leave it there to pace the same patch of dirt and excrement for years on end. When a chained dog attacked and killed a five-year old girl with Down Syndrome in Georgia in July 2007 that wandered into her neighbor’s yard the dog’s owner claimed that there was nothing they could have done unaware that the very method of confinement to which they subjected their dog led directly to the animal’s aggression and ultimately the death of a child”. - Chained dogs are not effective guard dogs. Chained dogs are unable to stop intruders. All they can do is bark, usually incessantly and at objects other than intruders, creating a public nuisance for neighbors. Most chained dogs are un-socialized and unable to distinguish between a real threat to the family or a neighborhood child who wandered onto the property. The best guard dogs are those that live inside the home and are treated as part of the family which is how K9 police dogs are raised.” - The biggest factor in dog aggression is the lack of socialization and lack of proper exercise that can be avoided with options such as bringing the dog inside the home, perimeter fencing, electronic confinement system or regular walks with owners. All of these options are better than chaining. Chaining is prohibited in the following Florida communities: Collier County, FL - Hallandale Beach, Fl - Hillsborough County, FL - Lee County, FL - Lake County, FL - Marion County, FL - Miami, FL - Miami-Dade County, FL - Mount Dora, FL - Okaloosa County, FL -Palm Beach County, FL - Pembroke Park, FL - Pinellas County, FL - Sarasota, FL - Alachua County, FL - Bonita Springs, FL - Coconut Creek, FL - Dania Beach, FL - Escambia County, FL - Fort Lauderdale, FL - Hollywood, FL - Jacksonville, FL - Leon County, FL -Manatee County, FL - Oakland Park, FL - Orange County, FL - Seminole, FL - Seminole County, FL - Wilton Manors, FL - Many states and local government across the United States have banned permanent tethering to ensure a safe and compassionate society for people and pets: - Fairhope, Alabama - Fayetteville, Arkansas - Jonesboro, Arkansas - Little Rock, Arkansas - Maumelle, Arkansas - Athens-Clarke County, Georgia - Chatham County, Georgia - DeKalb County, Georgia - Carthage, Missouri - Asheville, North Carolina - Chapel Hill, North Carolina - Clayton, North Carolina - Cumberland County, North Carolina - Durham County, North Carolina - New Hanover, North Carolina - Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina - Lawton, Oklahoma - Austin, Texas - Big Spring, Texas - Dallas, Texas - Electra, Texas - Georgetown, Texas - Fort Worth, Texas - Irving, Texas - Jurisdictions that have prohibited permanent tethering have experienced safer communities for both people and pets and significant reductions in animal cruelty cases, nuisance complaints and animal bites and attacks. Options for Non-Permanent Tethering: - Bring Your Pets Indoors - Parameter Fencing - Temporary supervised tethering for outdoor enjoyment purposes would be exempt from this section. To: Sumter County FL, Board of County Commissioners I just signed the following petition addressed to: Sumter County FL, Board of County Commissioners. ---------------- Put in Place an Anti-Tethering Ordinance for Animals in Sumter County There are chained dogs scattered throughout back yards suffering an isolated existence all over Sumter County, FL. These dogs are chained 24/7 living in their own excrement. Their lack of socialization in conjunction with a lack of any outlet for their energy, can make these dogs aggressive which is a danger to our citizens. 1 in 4 dog bites are the result of a chained dog. Many states and local government across the United States have successfully banned permanent tethering. Please read the following facts which outline why Sumter County needs to implement an Anti-Tethering Ordinance. Summary of Proposed Sumter County Ordinance Changes Relating to Animals Cruelty to Animals – Anti-Tethering Revisions to current tethering ordinance would permit temporary tethering for outdoor enjoyment purposes of supervised animals only; however, permanent tethering or chaining would be prohibited. This means that you can only tie your dog up outside when you are physically present with the dog. For example, when you are washing your car, gardening, or just sitting outside with your dog. This item was brought forth by Sumter County residents either concerned for animal welfare or that have experienced nuisance barking animals disrupting their rights to peaceful enjoyment. This is to bring to your attention the need to consider a tethering ordinance for the residents of Sumter County. The following is Sumter County Animal Ordinance 4-13, Housing and Care of Animals by Owners or Animal Care Establishments: (4) If confining the animal by tether, ensure that the tether: a. Is strong enough to restrain the animal; b. Is a minimum of 8 feet in length (except when being transported), and c. Is a type which remains tangle free. Sumter County residents should no longer be allowed to tie or chain their dogs to unmovable objects. New rules need to be implemented and voted on by County Commission members. Not only is unattended tethering a public safety issue (a child can be bitten in a matter of minutes), but the dog can be strangled, be stolen, attacked by another animal and animal abusers, or die of heat exhaustion. A dog kept chained alone in one spot for hours, days, months, or even years suffers immense psychological damage. An otherwise friendly and docile dog, when kept continuously chained, becomes neurotic, unhappy, anxious, and often aggressive. In many cases, the necks of chained dogs become raw and covered with sores, the result of improperly fitted collars and the dogs' constant yanking and straining to escape confinement. Some chained dogs have collars embedded in their necks, the result of years of neglect at the end of a chain. Chained dogs frequently become entangled in their chains, too, and unable to access food, water, and shelter. In addition to The Humane Society of the United States and numerous animal experts, the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a statement in the July 2, 1996, Federal Register against tethering: "Our experience in enforcing the Animal Welfare Act has led us to conclude that continuous confinement of dogs by a tether is inhumane. A tether significantly restricts a dog's movement. A tether can also become tangled around or hooked on the dog's shelter structure or other objects, further restricting the dog's movement and potentially causing injury." In 1997, the USDA ruled that people and organizations regulated by the Animal Welfare Act cannot keep dogs continuously chained. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has also stated "Never tether or chain your dog because this can contribute to aggressive behavior." The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) concluded in a study that the dogs most likely to attack are male, un-neutered, and chained. According to the Association of Shelter Veterinarian’s Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters, "Tethering is an unacceptable method of confinement for any animal and has no place in humane sheltering. Constant tethering of dogs in lieu of a primary enclosure is not a humane practice." Dogs tethered for long periods can become highly aggressive. Dogs feel naturally protective of their territory; when confronted with a perceived threat, they respond according to their fight-or-flight instinct. A chained dog, unable to take flight, often feels forced to fight, attacking any unfamiliar animal or person who unwittingly wanders into his or her territory. Chaining creates aggression, not protectiveness. A protective dog is used to being around people and can sense when his family is being threatened. A dog learns to be protective by spending lots of time with people and by learning to know and love his human family. Leaving a dog on a chain and ignoring him is how to raise an aggressive dog. Aggressive dogs can't distinguish between a threat and a family friend, because they are not used to people. Aggressive dogs will attack anyone: children who wander into the yard, the meter reader, the mailman. Statistics show that one of the best deterrents to intruders is an inside dog. Intruders will think twice about entering a home with a dog on the other side of the door. Rarely does a chained or tethered dog receive sufficient care. Tethered dogs suffer from sporadic feedings, overturned water bowls, inadequate veterinary care, and extreme temperatures. During periods of extreme heat, they may not receive adequate water or protection from the sun. During thunderstorms, they may not be provided adequate shelter. What's more, because their often neurotic behavior makes them difficult to approach, chained dogs are rarely given even minimal affection. Regulations against chaining also gives animal control officers and law enforcement officials a tool to crack down on illegal dog fighting, since many fighting dogs are kept on chains. A chained animal is caught in a vicious cycle; frustrated by long periods of boredom and social isolation, he becomes a neurotic shell of his former self—further deterring human interaction and kindness. Any city, county, or state that bans this practice is a safer, more humane community. The Florida state law says that a dog may be chained outside if it has water, food, and shelter. But many counties are taking it a step further and implementing anti-tethering ordinances that ban "unattended" dog tethering. This means that you can only tie your dog up outside when you are physically present with the dog. For example, when you are washing your car, gardening, or just sitting outside with your dog. But when you go inside, the dog must go inside with you. There are three goals of a successful anti-tethering ordinance. 1) Public Safety. 2) Safety of the animal. 3) Not creating loopholes for abusers who chain their dogs 24/7. 1) Public Safety. A study by the Centers for Disease Control found that chained dogs are 2.8 times more likely to bite. Children are often the victims of these dog bites. A child can be bitten in a matter of moments by an unattended chained dog. 2) Safety of the animal. An unattended chained dog can strangle itself, be stolen, or attacked by other animals or cruel humans in a matter of moments. Animals can also die from heat exhaustion or freeze to death. 3) Not creating loopholes for abusers who chain 24/7. Vague language and timed ordinances (such as restrictions that state tethering is prohibited between the hours of 1pm and 8pm) are difficult and costly to enforce. - Chaining is prohibited in the following Florida communities: Collier County, FL - Hallandale Beach, Fl - Hillsborough County, FL - Lee County, FL - Lake County, FL - Marion County, FL - Miami, FL - Miami-Dade County, FL - Mount Dora, FL - Okaloosa County, FL -Palm Beach County, FL - Pembroke Park, FL - Pinellas County, FL - Sarasota, FL - Alachua County, FL - Bonita Springs, FL - Coconut Creek, FL - Dania Beach, FL - Escambia County, FL - Fort Lauderdale, FL - Hollywood, FL - Jacksonville, FL - Leon County, FL -Manatee County, FL - Oakland Park, FL - Orange County, FL - Seminole, FL - Seminole County, FL - Wilton Manors, FL Jurisdictions that have prohibited permanent tethering have experienced safer communities for both people and pets and significant reductions in animal cruelty cases, nuisance complaints and animal bites and attacks. Options for Non-Permanent Tethering: - Bring Your Pets Indoors - Parameter Fencing - Temporary supervised tethering for outdoor enjoyment purposes would be exempt from this section. ---------------- Sincerely, Karen Taylor Webster, Florida 33597.