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Chained, unneutered male dogs top list during bite prevention week

Mothers Against Dog Chaining, an initiative of the national non-profit organization Dogs Deserve Better, has documented 16 chained dog attacks on children since issuing a warning about spring chained dog attacks just less than two months ago in mid-April. The group attributes the annual rise in spring attacks to an increase in spring play and outdoor activity by our nation’s children. This, coupled with a winter of pent up energy and missed socialization on the part of the dogs is a combination that proves all too often to be a deadly combination.

The group seeks to raise awareness of the dangers involved in chaining a dog; during Dog Bite Prevention Week they advise all parents NOT to leave children unattended with chained dogs, especially unneutered males in an effort to keep them safe and unharmed.

Tammy Grimes, founder of Dogs Deserve Better and leader of the Mothers Against Dog Chaining initiative, explains, “Statistically, the largest bite factor come in the package of an unneutered male dog who spends his life on the end of a chain. The dog is angry, unsocialized, full of testosterone, and with easy access to children; children who don’t understand, who trust and just want to pet the dog. Why don’t communities see the danger inherent in allowing this to continue?”
Each of the 16 dog attacks documented since their warning about spring dog attacks last month has been an unneutered male on a chain. Because the largest percentage of them has been pit bulls, the community screams against the breed in particular. But instead a look at the larger picture is necessary.  “Each of these male pits has been unneutered, unvetted, chained, and unsocialized. Pits are the most abused dog in America, and addressing the irresponsibility of pit bull owners, breeders, and fighters will be much more efficient in stopping attacks than banning the breed.” People should be prohibited from chaining and breeding dogs in backyards and subsequently there will be a much lower incidence of pit bull attacks and pit bull targets.

From October 2003 through May 2007, there have been at least 139 children seriously injured or killed by chained dogs. Chained dogs are unsocialized with humans.  They can and do attack and kill small children who wander into their territory. The trend toward anti-tethering legislation continues, with currently over 100 cities, counties, and states in the nation banning or limiting chaining; California installed a 3 hour a day chaining limit in fall 2006.

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