The California Senate, on June 1, approved SB 1578, a bill that would prohibit dogs from being chained to a stationary object, such as a tree or fence, as the primary means of confinement. SB 1578, authored by Senator Alan Lowenthal, D-Long Beach, moved off the Senate floor with a vote of 21-13 and now heads to the Assembly for consideration.

Senator Lowenthal introduced SB 1578 as a public safety measure to reduce the number of dog bites and dog attacks in California. Research has shown that chained dogs are 2.8 times more likely to bite than unchained dogs because they feel the strong need to protect their
territory and have no way to flee from perceived threats. Between February 2000 and January 2006 in the United States, chained dogs attacked or killed at least 107 people, two-thirds of them children. 
 
"Aggressive dog issues are a serious concern throughout California, and I applaud my colleagues for taking this proactive step to reduce the number of dog bites and attacks in our communities," said Senator
Lowenthal. "This bill gives animal control officers a much-needed tool to protect citizens' public safety and dogs from long-term suffering and neglect." 

SB 1578 is an important animal protection measure since long-term chaining of dogs can result in significant physical and psychological harm to the animal. Dogs who are continuously chained suffer from immense boredom and neglect and can become extremely anxious and neurotic. Dogs also often get injured or die when chains become entangled with other objects or collars end up embedded in their necks.

The California Animal Association (CAA), the sponsor of SB 1578, surveyed animal control agencies throughout the state on the issue of dog chaining. CAA found that citizens make hundreds of complaints about chained dogs every month and some agencies receive dozens of calls each week about dogs left chained for long periods of time.

Most animal control agencies in California currently lack enforcement powers to remove chained dogs, unless they find other obvious signs of neglect, like lack of food, water or shelter. As a result, many preventable injuries or attacks occur, and many dogs suffer or die needlessly.

"Virtually every California community has dogs who are suffering at the end of a chain, but many do not have the resources to enact a local ordinance to manage the problem," said Pam Runquist, a representative of CAA. "SB 1578 sets a statewide standard to deal with this important public safety and animal protection concern."

The California Animal Association is a coalition of 15 animal protection organizations representing the interests of animals at the State Capitol.

Please fax, phone or email your assemblymember and Take Action to send an automatic follow up email urging him or her to support this important public safety and animal protection measure. Also be sure to Tell-A-Friend about this issue.