Finally, a law that protects pets from owners who leave them outside for too long

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On Tuesday, January 18th, 2011, New York City passed a new law that could send dog owners to jail for chaining their pets outside for too long.

This new law states that dog owners will not be able to tie their pets for more than 3 hours during any 12 hours stretch.

Owners that chain their dogs while they (the dogs) are injured can receive a $250 fine or a written warning if the dog is unharmed.

If the dog owners ignore the law a second time during the year, they will receive a $500 fine and will spend up to 3 months in jail.

This new law also forbid :
- dog owners to use choke or pinch collars while their dogs are tied up and;
- dog owners from chaining dogs without food, shelter and water for more than 15 minutes.

Believe it or not, but one of the loudest advocate for this law was... Joan Rivers.

It's about time that a big city takes a stand against chained dog. It is a real problem that is too often overlook or just plain ignored by the general population.

In the North Country, where we live, the temperatures in winter can go as low as -30F, with wind and snow. And you would not believe the quantities of dogs left chained outside by irresponsible dog owners. Unfortunately for them, there is no law protect them and this means that there is nothing and nobody out there to protect them.

Maybe smaller cities will also change their laws to incorporate a regulation to protect their pets. And maybe we should start right now by writing to our city/town officials.

To learn why this practice is cruel to animal, please visit the Humane Society website by clicking here.

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