Clayton ordinance aims to break the chains

Clayton, N.C. — Clayton leaders are putting pet owners on notice – remove the chains or face a penalty.

“She really likes to run and exercise and get a lot of energy out,” dog owner Jason Fitts said.

His miniature pincher Jack Russel mix is rambunctious and likes running in her owner's backyard. When Fitts adopted Roxie from the Watauga Humane Society, he said he had to agree not to tie or chain her up outside.

“They really don't like to see dogs tethered outside,” Fitts said. “I wouldn't want to tether her. I would rather go to pet training, which is what I've been doing. And that's really helping her a lot."

However, not all dogs enjoy the same freedom as Roxie. Wednesday, as temperature hit the mid 90's, WRAL found several dogs chained or tethered outdoors in Clayton.

The animals had little shelter from the sun and almost no room to exercise. To protect such dogs, Clayton recently passed an ordinance prohibiting the practice of tethering animals.

“The person must have the animal in a cage or kennel that allows the animal to get up, move and maintain some level of comfort,” Captain Wayne Bridges, with the Clayton Police Department, said.

While Clayton is the first city in Johnston County to ban tethering, anti-tethering ordinances are part of a growing tend.

Durham County Commissioners will consider outlawing the practice next month, while animal rights advocates are pushing for a similar law in Orange County.

In Clayton, Bridges said the city will work to educate pet owners before enforcing the new law.

“We want to be sure to have the opportunity to let residents become familiar with the ordinance and give them time to comply,” he added.

According to Councilman Alex Harding, Clayton's anti-tethering ordinance doesn't take effect until early October. While penalties for violating the rules are still being decided, Harding said at the minimum, anyone caught tethering a dog will receive a fine.

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I worked at a vets office while I was going through college. A country vet where lots of people keep their dogs chained or on one of those tie-out stakes. During those few years we had many dogs brought in that had gotten tangled in their chain or cable. Several of them had to lose their leg because their owners either didn't notice for awhile or didn't care. It's very sad to me to see dogs getting hurt over something that is completely preventable.

Another common occurence was getting attacked by another dog and not being able to run away or properly defend themselves becasue they are chained up.

My dogs are inside dogs. They get plenty of exercise and roam the yard whenever we are out there. But when I am not home or inside doing something, I have to know that they are safe. They are spoiled rotten and I wouldn't have it any other way

NCTeacher
August 7, 2008 9:04 p.m.

Timbo, I almost pity your pets! Hopefully you don't have any!

GoodVibrations
August 7, 2008 4:57 p.m.

dogs mean different things to different people but all deserve to be treated humanely. The anti-tethering ordinance is a good thing! :)

tiblet
August 7, 2008 4:56 p.m.

"Well I guess I'm one of those people. I just spent $1300 to have a cantalope sized tumor taken off my dogs neck and he's 12. Would I do it again? ABSOLUTELY!!!!"

You are crazy!!! It's a dog. They give them away at the pound. I would of told the vet to put him asleep without a moments hesitation.

"But still to me to just chain them in the yard is just lazy. If you don't want to bother with housebreaking them or don't want doggy hair in the house then don't get a dog."

Nothing wrong with a dog on a chain as long as it's properly cared for. If you want a dog in the house, that's your business.

Some folks may like it when a dog licks their face. That's your business too. But knowing where dogs like to lick and what they sometimes like to eat, they can keep their tongues to themselves.

I'm sure someone will come to their senses in Clayton before this is required. After all, it ain't Orange county.

Timbo
August 7, 2008 4:38 p.m.

I'm a southerner - Raleigh born and bred - and quite some years ago I reported a neighbor of my mother-in-law for having a dog in the back yard on an extremely short chain, feces never cleaned up, a sorry excuse for a dog house, no shade and often no water.

Like some have said before dogs are pack animals, they thrive around others. My dogs have always lived inside. We considered them family members. They need companionship.

cpu, your right to do as you please on your property ends when your actions harm others, homosapiens or any other species . I agree that the ordinance needs to be fine-tuned to accomodate acceptable outdoor arrangements. But the onus of this ordinance is on unacceptable chaining.

But still to me to just chain them in the yard is just lazy. If you don't want to bother with housebreaking them or don't want doggy hair in the house then don't get a dog.