By Diane Lederman for masslive.com
AMHERST – If Town Meeting agrees, Amherst would become the third community in Western Massachusetts to prohibit the tethering or chaining of a dog for more than eight hours a day.
Resident Amy Vickers initiated the petition that has the support of the town’s Animal Welfare officer Carol A. Hepburn as well as an endorsement from the Select Board this week. Town Meeting begins Nov. 8.
The bylaw would also prohibit the outside confinement or tethering of dogs between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.
A first violation would generate a warning in most cases, but officials could fine the violator $50. A second violation could lead to a $100 fine and a third $300.
Vickers told the Select Board she has proposed the bylaw because she wants to assure that “dogs are protected from the elements and harm.” She said 13 states have laws that protect dogs from tethering and hundreds of communities do as well. Locally East Longmeadow and Greenfield have bylaws that protect dogs, she said.
“A small percentage of dog owners, don’t take care of their dogs properly,” she said.
Hepburn thanked Vickers “for putting all your efforts (into the bylaw.)” She said she always tries to “be a voice for the animals.” At the same time, “we don’t want to tick off the owners.” Most she said are very good but she said “there have been instances where I have had a problem with chaining and tethering.”
She sees the bylaw as a good way to educate dog owners but with the bylaw “now I have a tool and can fine people. I hope I never have to use it.”
Hepburn also said she is hoping by creating the bylaw the town would “set an example for other communities that need it more than we do.”
Chaining an animal is cruel. There is no interaction with them. I have fence yard. I maintain it. My girls are aloud out. But they are being supervised I have a door or the window and I go out almost every 15 minutes to see what they are doing. They are pack animals.
I have a fenced yard, and 4 dogs.One dog has to be on a cable when we are gone to work. Because she will get out of the fence and kill our neighbors chickens. But when we are home she is off the cable. Running and playing with us and the other dogs. When we are home our dogs can come inside with us to insure that we get lots of time with them. It works for us.
No dog should be chained or tethered – period. Coywolves’ numbers have grown expotentially in MA and any dog is a potential meal. Please people – if you can’t exercise your dog – don’t have one. If you’re not going to include your dog as an integral part of your family – don’t have one. And if you don’t have the time for a dog do not leave him/her abandoned in a yard! Because to the dog, it’s abandonment.
Thank you for taking a much-needed stand, Ms. Vickers!!!
No dog should be chained or tethered – period. Coywolves’ numbers have grown expotentially in MA and any dog is a potential meal. Please people – if you can’t exercise your dog – don’t have one. If you’re not going to include your dog as an integral part of your family – don’t have one. And if you don’t have the time for a dog do not leave him/her abandoned in a yard! Because to the dog, it’s abandonment.
Thank you for taking a much-needed stand, Ms. Vickers!!!