Washington Bill Would Ban Almost All Unattended Chaining

[3MTA3]

Attention Washington state dog owners, it's time to get in letter writing mode!


Washington Bill Would Ban Almost All Unattended Chaining

Posted Jan 15, 2010 by lauraallen

• Tethering-Penning

and would also ban confinement in too small outdoor cages or pens.
A bill is pending in the Washington state legislature, H.B. 2387, that would ban all unattended chaining or tethering of dogs except for an hour each day or up to 3 hours if the owner is engaged in a temporary task.

The restriction would apply to dogs chained or tethered to stationary objects as well as running cable or pulley systems.

For even the short period of unattended chaining or tethering allowed and if the dog is chained or tethered with the owner present, there would be restrictions to protect the comfort, health and safety of the dog. The dog could not be tethered within 100 yards of a school or with access to a public right of way.

The bill would not apply to dogs in camping or recreation areas or those used as service dogs or by the military or law enforcement.
It's not just for chained or tethered dogs.
The bill would also require owners who confine dogs "in an enclosure for the majority of the day" to comply with the housing requirements under the new puppy mill law passed in 2009. Those requirements only apply to dog breeders with 10 or more breeding dogs, but under H.B. 2387, would apply to all dog owners who confine dogs "in an enclosure for the majority of the day".
Those requirements which are now in effect and which this bill, H.B. 2387, would apply to owners who keep dogs in an enclosure for the majority of the day, state:

The enclosure must provide "space to allow each dog to turn about freely, to stand, sit, and lie down", fully extended without touching any side of an enclosure or any other dog in the cage when they are lying down together.
Each enclosure must be at least three times the length of the longest dog in the enclosure, from tip of nose to base of tail, and 6 inches higher than the tallest dog.

Not really too much to ask.

Unless a veterinarian certifies the dog cannot exercise, each dog over 4 months of age must have a minimum of one hour of exercise each day. The exercise must include removing the dog from his cage and either walking or "giving the dog access to an enclosure at least four times the size of the primary enclosure allowing the dog free mobility for the entire exercise period, but may not include use of a treadmill, cat mill, jenny mill, slat mill, or similar device, unless prescribed by a doctor of veterinary medicine."

There are also requirements for daily cleaning, sanitation, protection from disease, infestation and pests, removing dogs from kennels or cages during cleaning, sufficient ventilation, a working smoke alarm, a means of fire suppression, and sufficient lighting.

The housing must have "sufficient shade" and otherwise protect the dogs from "extreme temperatures and weather conditions" that may be "uncomfortable or hazardous to the dogs."
Cages cannot be stacked and can be no more than 42 inches off the ground.
Flooring must be "constructed in a manner that protects the dogs' feet and legs from injury."
The new law states requirements for placing dogs together in the cages: All dogs housed in the same enclosure must be compatible.... Animals with a vicious or aggressive disposition must be housed individually. Breeding females in heat may not be housed in the same enclosure with sexually mature males, except for breeding. Breeding females with litters may not be housed in the same enclosure with other adult dogs. Puppies under twelve weeks may not be housed in the same enclosure with other adult dogs, other than the dam or foster dam.

The penalties for violations of H.B. 2387, should it become law, would be civil fines: $100 for the first violation, $250 for the second and $500 for the third and subsequent violations.
The bill was introduced by Washington state Reps. Tom Campbell, Maralyn Chase, and Sherry Appleton.
Pennsylvania and New York are also considering restrictions on tethering and chaining of dogs. At least enough to get them out of the cold, snow or hot sun for several hours each day.
Other State Laws on Chaining/Tethering Dogs
In 2009 Nevada joined 9 other states in placing restrictions on tethering or chaining: California (Health & Safety Code Sec. 122335), Texas (Tex. Health & Safety Code Sec. 821.077), Connecticut, (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 22-350a), Tennessee (Tenn. Code §39-14-202), Delaware (7 Del. C. § 1704), Michigan (Mi. Comp. Laws § 750.50), Vermont (13 V.S.A. § 365), Maine (M.R.S. § 4015), and North Carolina (N.C. Gen. Stat. §14-362.3). Nevada, California and Texas limit the number of hours dogs can be chained each day.
Why Chaining/Tethering of Dogs Should be Banned or Restricted
Chained dogs tend to be neglected and can be dangerous, straining animal control resources and endangering the community.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and United States Dept of Agriculture (USDA) also oppose chaining dogs.

The Center for Disease Control has said chained dogs are 2.8 times more likely to bite adults. Chained dogs are nearly 5 times more likely to bite children. The National Canine Research Council reports that almost 30% of all fatal dog attacks involve chained or penned dogs. The ASPCA reports 81% of fatal dog attacks involve dogs that are isolated. Go here for more information.
Nicholas Dodman, DVM, Professor, Tufts University, says, "Chaining dogs makes them more aggressive. They are natural social animals and [chaining] induces 'isolation-induced aggression' and creates a 'junkyard' dog effect. They basically go mad."
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Find your Washington state legislators here or representatives here. Write (faxes are best) or call and urge them to vote YES on H.B. 2387 and get dogs off chains and also assure dogs confined in pens or runs have adequate space and shelter!

Washington Bill Would Ban Almost All Unattended Chaining | Animal Law Coalition

[kumhomomma]

it this way already in my town