Off an old highway, on a small lot, sits a home with windows boarded up and a little red dog tethered to a tree that has less than 10 foot of chain length. She is fed and has a dog house, but in the 3 years I have lived in this area, she has NEVER been off the chain. I have seen her standing IN rain puddles of water because there is no place she can go. Most recently balled up in the dog house at temperatures 25 degree and in summer practically choking herself to lay in shade. This dog being tethered cannot serve any purpose at all, the muscles will atrophy from lack of movement and the animal will eventually die tied up. Tethering a dog long periods of time creates a fearful, helpless and eventually mean animal. The dogs nature is to protect, but when tethered for hours, their own survival fear removes their instinct to protect their human companion(s). This fear creates naturally a fear-aggressive animal. Dogs are naturally great protectors and if they are made to live outdoors and used strictly for protectors, then allow them the space to run; build a fence high enough to keep them in and large enough for them to protect all entrances of your home or business. Give THEM a nice shelter because they need to stay healthy to PROTECT YOU. The State of Texas does not recognize tethering as cruel and inhumane. Please sign this petition and change Texas laws regarding the welfare of animal abuse.
