Dogs (like people) are social animals, yet more than 200,000 dogs live empty lives chained or tethered outdoors. Tied-up outside, dogs become lonely, bored, and anxious, and they can develop aggressive behaviors. Bring a dog inside (or help a chained dog in your neighborhood) and you’ll keep everyone safer.
Some people believe that dogs should live outside to protect a home or property. Dogs are also put outside because they display behaviors that challenge their families. In practice, chaining threatens the dog's health and well-being and the safety other animals and humans.
As communities learn about the negative impact of chaining or tethering dogs, many have begun passing laws against long-term chaining. Learn how to educate and mobilize your neighbors, free a chained dog, and prevent more dogs from suffering a sad, solitary life on a chain.
Resources
What You Can Do to Help Chained Dogs »
Guide to Helping Chained Dogs »
Do You Chain Your Dog? »
News & Events
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April 24, 2013
Animal Advocates Lobby Connecticut Lawmakers to Support Animal Welfare Legislation
)--Connecticut residents participating in Humane Lobby Day met with lawmakers to advocate for several bills that would improve the welfare of animals in the state. Participants lobbied in support of H.B. 6317, which ban the inhumane confinement of breeding pigs in gestation crates, and H.B. 5027, which requires minimum standards of care for dogs in large-scale puppy mills and prevents the sale of dogs from breeding operations that do not meet those standards.
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April 10, 2013
Humane Lobby Day Kicks Off in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvanians concerned about animal welfare converged on the state capitol for Humane Lobby Day in Harrisburg on Tuesday to lobby for better laws to protect pets, exotic animals and wildlife.
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September 25, 2012
The HSUS and PetSmart Charities® Announce Pets for Life Mentorship Grant Recipients
The HSUS and PetSmart Charities® announced that ten local animal care organizations from around the country have been selected to receive the groups’ Pets for Life Mentorship program grant, totaling $452,500 for the groups to provide direct, hands-on community outreach training tailored to help pets and pet owners in under-served neighborhoods.
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April 24, 2012
Animal Advocates Gather at Delaware Capitol to Lobby for Animal Protection
Citizens from across Delaware participating in Humane Lobby Day 2012 met with lawmakers at the Capitol to urge them to pass legislation that will significantly impact animals.
Our Victories
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May 21, 2013
Alabama Legislative Session a Success for Animals
The Alabama legislative session ended on a high note for animals as lawmakers sent HB 27, a bill to strengthen the state’s animal cruelty laws, to Gov. Robert Bentley for his signature, receiving praise from The Humane Society of the United States.
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April 19, 2013
Arkansas Legislative Session a Success for Animals
The Arkansas State Legislature passed a number of animal protection bills that were signed into law by Gov. Mike Beebe this legislative session, receiving praise from The Humane Society of the United States.
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April 5, 2013
The HSUS Honors Indiana Prosecutor with Award For Animal Cruelty and Fighting Case
The Humane Society of the United States honored Delaware County Deputy Prosecutor Joe E. Orick, of Muncie, Ind., with the Prosecutor Recognition Award, for successfully prosecuting Rahsaan A. Johnson for dogfighting-related charges.
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March 22, 2013
Maryland Votes For Animals and The HSUS Celebrate Landmark Spay/Neuter Program
Maryland Votes for Animals and The Humane Society of the United States applauded the Maryland Senate and House for passing the spay/neuter bill, introduced by Sen. Joanne Benson, D-Prince George’s County, and Del. Barbara Frush, D-Anne Arundel and Prince George’s counties, to establish a statewide fund to support spay/neuter services through targeted community grants.
