Animal-Rights Group Wants to Halt Dog-Chaining
Durham, N.C. — Mopsy and Bessie are 79-year-old Dietrich von Haugwitz's companions. Mopsy has been around for years, but Bessie joined her only a few weeks ago.
“The dog has taken to me and now loves me dearly as if she's been with me for years and years,” von Haugwitz said.
That might come as no surprise at all, considering what Bessie has been through.
"Bessie was not being taken care of. She was being fed every few days at best,” von Haugwitz said,
Bessie lived on a chain no more than 6 feet long. Her owner, an elderly woman with dementia, reportedly neglected the dog.
Animal advocates fought to have Bessie removed from her former home. Now they are fighting for other animals. The group known as the Coalition to Unchain Dogs is working to restrict or ban the chaining of dogs in Durham and Orange counties.
"Dogs are social animals,” said spokesperson Amanda Arrington. “They need interaction."
The group also says dogs on chains are more aggressive.
"The Center for Disease Control says that chain dogs are 2.8 times more likely to bite than non-chained,” Arrington said.
Von Haugwitz said Bessie was a bit aggressive at first. But with a little love, all that has changed.
“Given that suffering that the dog endured, it is remarkable that the dog's character and personality wasn't permanently ruined, and that she is so quickly taking to this new life of love and tenderness,” Von Haugwitz said.
Group leaders claimed a minor victory after the Durham County Animal Control Advisory Committee recently voted to make a recommendation to the county commission in favor of a law that would restrict chaining up dogs. Orange County leaders are still in the process of forming a committee to look at the issue.
“The dog has taken to me and now loves me dearly as if she's been with me for years and years,” von Haugwitz said.
That might come as no surprise at all, considering what Bessie has been through.
"Bessie was not being taken care of. She was being fed every few days at best,” von Haugwitz said,
Bessie lived on a chain no more than 6 feet long. Her owner, an elderly woman with dementia, reportedly neglected the dog.
Animal advocates fought to have Bessie removed from her former home. Now they are fighting for other animals. The group known as the Coalition to Unchain Dogs is working to restrict or ban the chaining of dogs in Durham and Orange counties.
"Dogs are social animals,” said spokesperson Amanda Arrington. “They need interaction."
The group also says dogs on chains are more aggressive.
"The Center for Disease Control says that chain dogs are 2.8 times more likely to bite than non-chained,” Arrington said.
Von Haugwitz said Bessie was a bit aggressive at first. But with a little love, all that has changed.
“Given that suffering that the dog endured, it is remarkable that the dog's character and personality wasn't permanently ruined, and that she is so quickly taking to this new life of love and tenderness,” Von Haugwitz said.
Group leaders claimed a minor victory after the Durham County Animal Control Advisory Committee recently voted to make a recommendation to the county commission in favor of a law that would restrict chaining up dogs. Orange County leaders are still in the process of forming a committee to look at the issue.
- Reporter: Sloane Heffernan
- Photographer: Courtney Davis
- Web Editor: Dana Franks
Copyright 2008 by WRAL.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
43 Comments
-
- Drug case challenged after video airs on YouTube
Updated May. 13 11:32 p.m. |
- Olive Branch Road is anything but peaceful as residents battle development
Updated May. 13 11:42 p.m. |
- PCBs contaminate Walnut, Rocky Branch creeks
Updated May. 13 8:59 p.m. |
- Raleigh: Growth didn't drain Falls Lake
Updated May. 13 8:45 p.m. |
- Dozens of cats confiscated from Wilson County home
Updated May. 13 6:33 p.m. |
- Drug case challenged after video airs on YouTube
- Most Viewed Slideshows
- Massive earthquake rocks central China
Updated May. 13 5:48 p.m. - Pet Photos | May 12 - May 18, 2008
Updated May. 13 12:58 p.m. - Sights from Jenna Bush's wedding
Updated May. 13 6:29 a.m.
- Massive earthquake rocks central China
STORIES
VIDEOS
SLIDESHOWS
hot topics
Multimedia
-
North Carolina lake levelsFind out current lake levels and water-use restrictions in your community.
-
Tassel-turning time again: Thousands graduate in TriangleArea colleges handed out thousands of degrees to graduates this weekend.
-
Campaign Trail Photos of the WeekView photos from the past week on the campaign trail from AP photographers around the country.
-
Merlefest 2008Every year thousands from around the country and beyond make their way to Wilkesboro, N.C. for down home bluegrass and family fun.
-
Obama party at Reynolds ColiseumObama supporters came out to Reynolds Coliseum to celebrate the senator's win in the N.C. primary election.




Welcome to GOLO, where WRAL.com visitors can comment on stories and create profile pages, blogs and photo galleries.
You must be a registered WRAL.com user to use these tools. Click here to register or log in.