We as a community worry about the safety of ourselves and others. Imagine you didn't have anyone except yourself. Imagine wanting to speak and free yourself from a situation and you had no strength....no voice to be heard. We as a community should stand together and put an end to the chaining and tethering of pets. Day in and day out dogs live hopeless and empty lives on the end of a rope or chain. Why should this be allowed? Animals don't choose the life they live. Chained dogs usually go without food, shelter, water, veterinarian care, and more. How is this not cruel? How is this not animal abuse? How could anyone allow this to go own? Animals should have rights, just as we do! Chaining and tethering is inhumane. Put yourself in their situation. How would you feel tied up to a tree? How would you feel if you were allowed only a short distance to walk or not able to move at all? Imagine feeling your body slowly shutting down due to the extreme temperatures or shutting down due to starvation. This shouldn't be an "out of sight.... out of mind approach." We as a community should do something to stop the chaining and tethering of pets. We wouldn't want to be confined to a box where we had to eat, sleep, urinate, and defecate. Why should they? Chained animals can become aggressive due to improper care, lack of affection, or human contact. They can become aggressive by protecting their territory, which could be a serious threat to any individual that goes around their territory. We should put an end to the chaining and tethering of animals. This community needs to be more safe, more humane. These animals have no voice. We are their voice. These animals shouldn't suffer from isolation, lack of food, water, shelter, or protection. Together as a community we can stop the tethering and chaining of animals in Surry County. Change is a good thing, especially when it makes a difference. I can promise you this not only will you make many individuals in this community happy, you will have changed the lives of many others forever. Remember a dog....is a "man's Best Friend." Good things come to those who do good things!