by Suzyn Barron, President of Warwick Valley Humane Society, Inc.
Did you know that in this day and age, people still keep outside pets? I am not talking about managed feral cat colonies or even farm animals, although I do feel for both of these species. Feral cats cannot be kept inside. They are by all intents and purposes, wild animals that should never be cages or forced to accept human interaction, except for a few days post spaying and neutering. Farm animals should, at the very least, have some means of protecting themselves against the elements like wind, rain, snow, heat etc. But, unfortunately, the law does not mandate shelter for these beings.
For our companion animals, the law only states that appropriate shelter must be provided meaning an insulated and structurally sound doghouse with a rainproof roof and that is off the ground with a clean, safe area surrounding it. Truth be told, that is not enough. Leaving domestic pets outside in these freezing temperatures is inhumane. They can and do suffer frostbite. Their mandated clean water must be changed when it freezes which can be hourly in these temperatures.
Imagine being chained to a metal makeshift housing structure without benefit of insulation or straw bedding in 5 degrees day after day and night after night with only your coat for protection. Imagine not wearing a coat and only having a plastic dog house laying on snow surrounded by your waste with only frozen water in a dirty bucket.
Animal Control didn’t have to imagine these two scenarios, they saw it firsthand. How these two dogs survived is beyond comprehension. Animal Control intervention was able to correct both situations but only to owner adherence to the law. Meaning, they both now have structurally sound and insulated dog houses and unfrozen water but are still being subjected to these near sub-zero temperatures 24 hours a day on the end of chains. And, the law does not address the emotional, physical or psychological needs of dogs in these situations.
Restricting a dog by chaining or tying can and does create frustration, aggression and loneliness along with placing that pet at risk of harm by other animals, people or things.
Without tethering restrictions in our town, county or state, people can still leave their dogs outside on tethers or tie outs around the clock no matter the weather. And people do!
Someone please tell me how you can sit inside a warm house and sleep in a warm bed knowing your dog is cold and lonely. Dogs were domesticated to be companions and by definition a companion is a “person or animal with whom one spends a lot of time”. If your dog is tied outside for hours on end, you are not treating your dog as a companion at all. In the cases noted, the owner refused to surrender the dogs because he likes having them around.
There is no more selfish statement than that. I can make a sure bet that the animals are not liking their living arrangements, but as yet, there is nothing more that can be done. To be humane is to have compassion, sympathy or consideration of people and animals.
Pet of the Week:
