Animal tethering laws still a concern

FERRIS – As the Ferris Animal Shelter was poised for cleanup and better conditions in that city, a few issues regarding what some consider animal cruelty and treatment are still being considered throughout the state. One of these issues is tethering.

State Representative, Carl Sherman, District 109, supported the Bill in the House that was against tethering dogs and would have outlawed it in Texas.

“Unfortunately, the bill failed,” he said.

“I am still glad to have the opportunity to bring more attention to this quality of life issue for dogs.

“Proverbs 12:10 states the righteous care for the needs of their animals.

“This bill should have been a no-brainer for the legislative body.

“I hope you will join me next session to help our four-legged friends who count on us.”

Len Baxley, a member of the Ferris Animal Shelter Advisory Board said, “Tethering a dog benefits no one in the long run.

“Dogs are social animals and will suffer psychologically from prolonged tethering.”

Baxley said in many cases tethering causes a more aggressive animal and more injuries to other dogs and humans, especially children.

“Tethered dogs are not ‘Bad Dogs’ they are merely reacting to a situation they have been put in,” he added.

“That situation is one of being confined and a sense of feeling unsafe, so therefore they act more aggressive to compensate.

“I realize many people are unaware of the real damage they are doing to their dogs by tethering, so education is the first step to fixing the problem.”

He suggests the next step for a city is perhaps assistance in building the appropriate enclosure if the owners are financially unable.

“I believe, after a reasonable amount of time enforcement is needed to correct the animal’s situation,” Baxley said.

“After all, the tethered animal does not care if its owner is unaware, financially unable, or just stubborn the animal has been suffering at the end of a rope or chain for possibly his whole life while the owner sits comfortably inside a climate-controlled home safe from attack.”

This month, in observance of National Pet Preparedness, Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush is urging Texans to plan for the whole family, including pets, when preparing for severe weather too.

Keep in mind, a tethered dog is not able to escape bad weather in emergency situations.