Humane Society on Chaining Dogs

The Humane Society of the United States on the chaining of dogs:

The Facts About Chaining and Tethering, Why this practice is cruel to dogs

http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/chaining_tethering/facts/chaining_tethering_facts.html

"Why is tethering dogs inhumane?

Dogs are naturally social beings who thrive on interaction with human beings and other animals. A dog kept chained in one spot for hours, days, months or even years suffers immense psychological damage. An otherwise friendly and docile dog, when kept continuously chained, becomes neurotic, unhappy, anxious and often aggressive."

"Should chaining or tethering ever be allowed?

To become well-adjusted companion animals, dogs should interact regularly with people and other animals, and should receive regular exercise. It is an owner's responsibility to properly restrain her dog, just as it is the owner's responsibility to provide adequate attention and socialization. Placing an animal on a restraint to get fresh air can be acceptable if it is done for a short period or while supervised. However, keeping an animal tethered for long periods is never acceptable."

Do You Chain Your Dog? Read why chaining is inhumane and how to bring your dog inside

http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/chaining_tethering/tips/do_you_chain_your_dog.html

Chaining and Tethering

http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/chaining_tethering/

"Bring a dog inside (or help a chained dog in your neighborhood) and you’ll keep everyone safer."

What You Can Do to Help Chained Dogs, Unchain a dog in your community today

http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/chaining_tethering/tips/help_chained_dogs.html

Animal Cruelty

Houston SPCA - Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals:

www.houstonspca.org/site/PageNavigator/cruelty_and_rescue_main

EXCERPTS:

What Should You Do If You Think You Witness Animal Cruelty? Animal cruelty is a crime in Texas, and is defined as follows:

SEC. 42.092. CRUELTY TO NON-LIVESTOCK ANIMALS A person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly or recklessly:

1. Tortures or seriously overworks an animal
2. Fails unreasonably to provide necessary food, water, care or shelter for an animal in his custody
3. Abandons unreasonably an animal in his custody
4. Transports or confines an animal in a cruel manner
5. Kills, injures, or administers poison to an animal, belonging to another without legal authority or the owner's effective consent
6. Causes one animal to fight with another
7. Uses a live animal as a lure in dog race training or in dog coursing

If you are witness to any form of animal cruelty, we encourage you to contact the Houston SPCA and file a report. Click here to file an online Animal Cruelty Report with the Houston SPCA. You can also file a report over the phone by calling 713-869-SPCA {7722}.

  

24 Hour Animal Ambulance 

The Houston SPCA remains the only agency that provides an injured animal ambulance and rescue service 24 hours a day every day of the year. Our ambulance technicians rescued over 3,000 animals from danger and distress in 2012.

 Call 713- 869-SPCA {7722} to report an injured animal in need.

Additional Resources:

Harris County Animal Control information on Animal Laws including Animal Cruelty:

www.hcphes.org/vph/Animal_Laws/index.html

Houston Humane Society online cruelty submission form:

www.houstonhumane.org/report%2Dcruelty/

Unlawful Restraint of Dog - Texas Legislature

Unlawful Restraint of Dog, H.B. No. 1411 passed in 2007, by the Legislature of the State of Texas:

http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/html/HB01411F.HTM

EXCERPTS:

Sec. 821.077.  UNLAWFUL RESTRAINT OF DOG. 

(a) An owner may  not leave a dog outside and unattended by use of a restraint that unreasonably limits the dog's movement:

(1)  between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.;

(2)  within 500 feet of the premises of a school; or

(3)  in the case of extreme weather conditions, including conditions in which:

(A)  the actual or effective outdoor temperature is below 32 degrees Fahrenheit;

(B)  a heat advisory has been issued by a local or state authority or jurisdiction; or

(C)  a hurricane, tropical storm, or tornado warning has been issued for the jurisdiction by the National Weather Service.

(b)  In this section, a restraint unreasonably limits a dog's movement if the restraint:

(1)  uses a collar that is pinch-type, prong-type, or choke-type or that is not properly fitted to the dog;

(2)  is a length shorter than the greater of:

(A)  five times the length of the dog, as measured from the tip of the dog's nose to the base of the dog's tail; or

(B)  10 feet;

(3)  is in an unsafe condition; or

(4)  causes injury to the dog.

Sec. 821.078.  EXCEPTIONS. Section 821.077 does not apply to:

(1)  a dog restrained to a running line, pulley, or trolley system and that is not restrained to the running line, pulley, or trolley system by means of a pinch-type, prong-type, choke-type, or improperly fitted collar;

(2)  a dog restrained in compliance with the requirements of a camping or recreational area as defined by a federal, state, or local authority or jurisdiction;

(3)  a dog restrained for a reasonable period, not to exceed three hours in a 24-hour period, and no longer than is necessary for the owner to complete a temporary task that requires the dog to be restrained;