Chaining or tethering dogs is a bad thing to do.

It is not good for the dog.

It can also result in bad things happening to people.

Some residents have asked the county to adopt an anti-chaining ordinance.

Veterinarian Amanda Hall of Baytree Animal Hospital has called a dog living its entire life at the end of a chain chronic animal abuse and neglect.

We agree.

Society is all too quick to vilify certain dog breeds, when in fact aggressive behavior in animals can generally be attributed to the behaviors of their owners, including the practice of chaining large breeds.

The Humane Society of the United States has said dogs tethered for long periods of time become aggressive, due to their territorial instincts.

When faced with a threat, a dog will react by its fight-or-flight instinct. Being unable to flee the scene, a tethered dog will feel it necessary to fight, regardless of how harmless the target actually is, the Humane Society suggests.

Dr. Hall has raised several very important concerns that include:

• In South Georgia, the heat index gets well over 100 degrees in the summertime and many times dogs get their tethers wrapped around their doghouse or something else and they can’t get to shade. In the wintertime, they can’t get to the doghouse for warmth.

• Chained dogs normally drag their fecal matter around, and the owners don’t scoop it, creating an unsanitary environment and a breeding ground for parasites.

• Chains and tethers can result in strangulation — the chain can cut off the dog’s airflow; dehydration — the dog might knock over its water dish accidentally and not get proper access to liquids.

No dog should be left alone and unattended on a chain or a tether for an extended period of time and especially not during very hot or very cold days.

Finding ways to regulate the issue of chained dogs is a challenge.

Clearly people own animals and have certain rights of ownership including how those animals are housed and cared for.

However, as a society we already regulate against “abuse” and “neglect,” and this may be as simple as broadening the definitions of abuse and neglect to include extended periods of tethering.

We have been told approximately 1,200 residents of the county have signed a petition in favor of an anti-chaining ordinance.

We encourage responsible pet ownership.

We support an ordinance that would regulate chaining up dogs for extended periods of time.

Pet owners may find it necessary to secure a dog on a chain, leash or tether for a very short duration.

Those cases should be exceptions rather than rules and most definitely should not be used as a permanent means to secure a pet.

We urge the county commission, and Valdosta City Council as well, to take a long hard look at Dr. Hall’s recommendations and to pass legislation that is reasonable for owners, while protecting pets.