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City Reminds Public About Tethering and Municipal Code Changes
City Reminds Public About Tethering and Municipal Code Changes
Date of Record: January 30, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 29, 2006
For more information contact:
Laurie Ringquist, Director, Animal Care and Control, City of Bloomington, 349.3870
Maria K. Heslin, Communications Director, City of Bloomington, 349.3596
Bloomington, IN -- The City of Bloomington is reminding citizens that the recently adopted changes to its municipal code regarding the practice of tethering are in effect. January draws special attention to the changes because it is recognized across the nation as Unchain a Dog Month.
Effective January 1, 2006, dogs may be tethered for no longer than 10 continuous hours, or a total of 12 hours in any 24-hour period. Additionally, tethers must be a minimum of 10-feet in length, weigh no more than 1/8 of the dog's body weight, and have swivels at both ends. Tethers must be attached to a properly fitting buckle-type collar, or a harness, worn by the dog, and must by design and placement, be unlikely to become entangled.
"We're very excited that the Council passed the ordinance but it's only the first step," said Julio Alonso, Director of Public Works. "The next step in the process is to educate the public about the new code and what it is and how it affects them."
PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) sponsors January as Unchain a Dog Month to raise awareness of the potential hazards and inhumanity of chaining dogs.
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) lends its efforts to get dogs off chains and into the homes of their human families. According to HSUS literature, "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."
The Bloomington code discourages the use of chains. However, if your dog(s) cannot come into your home full-time, there are a number of things you can do to improve their outdoor lives:
- Let them inside on a regular basis for interaction with your entire family. Dogs are highly social and need love and attention.
- Fence all or a part of your property to provide an area where your dog can have freedom of movement in a safe area.
- Go outdoors and spend time with your dog. Play in the yard, go for walks, and/or engage your dog with games and toys.
- Enroll in a dog-training class to help your dog learn the manners necessary to make them welcome in your home.
- Protect your dog from the elements: a dog house provides an escape from inhospitable weather; a shady area helps cool the dog-days of summer.
- Provide your dog with good food and plenty of fresh water.
- An annual visit to a veterinarian for a checkup and vaccinations will keep your dog robust and healthy. Remember that rabies vaccinations are required by law.
- Spay or neuter your dog. Sterilization is good for their health and makes them more affectionate, tractable companions. When you spay or neuter your dog, you are also helping control an overpopulation problem that results in the euthanasia of some 6 to 8 million companion animals annually in the United States.