put those chains away ...

In a way I agree with you. I do not think that dogs should be left outside on a chain alone. However I have a total of three dogs. When I let my three dogs outside in my fenced in back yard I put all three onto cables that run on a trolley system. Why? Because my 1 year old german shepard loves to dig. Since I have about an acre of yard for the dogs to run in I am not always able to watch her. I do take my dogs for walks several times a day. I feel though that while I am outside doing yard work that the dogs should be able to be outside to enjoy the fresh air.

I don't like the idea of chaining up my dog, but she climbs the fence and I don't want to worry about her getting run over or lost. So we have her on a tie out cable that is 50 feet long. She is able to reach every inch of our yard but there isn't enough slack in the cable for her to climb the fence. When stretched to its limit the cable comes 4 inches short of the fence. She is only on the cable from 8am until 7pm. And only if the weather is really nice. She stays inside most of the time. If she wouldn't growl and bark at the kids I baby sit, she could stay in all the time.

I do agree that dogs should not be put out all day and night. That they should be taken in the house and be a part of the family. That being said our own dog likes to go out on her lead during the day. She lets us know when she wants in and out. She gets her excercise and can do her business. We still walk her at night as well as have her inside most of the time. When you think about it though how would you feel just going to the bathroom twice a day? This gives her the ability to go several times during the day without a problem. When we can we also take her to the dog park where she can play with other dogs without a leed or leash on.

I hate to see a dog chained up all day, the owners come home and don't pay attention to the pet, they are too busy to spend time with them. They need to banned Dog Fighting it's cruel. If they should put themselves in the dogs place then they would know how it feels to be put in that kind of situation, chained, dog fighing, mistreated, left uncared for. Dogs are pack animals they love when they are part of a group or family. People shouldn't get dogs or pets if they aren't going to love them and treat them as part of the family.
I walk Bobby four times a day, I found him at the ASPCA he came from an owner who beat him badly for who knows for what and probably didn't take the time to train a dog without hitting it, and now Bobby has to learn to trust all over again. This was his last chance to live with someone, for he had beeb adopted out many times, only to be brought back. This was his fate all due to this one person who mistreaed him.

I don't like it when dogs are left out for long periods either (whether they are on a chain or stuck inside a fence). I don't think it's humane and it's a problem for the neighbors too because these kinds of dogs tend to bark and bark 24/7.

We usually let our dogs come and go as they please between the house and a fenced back yard. And then they still drive us nuts asking to go for a ride or a walk.;)

Your link is not pointing at the article. Here's a working link:
http://www.dogflu.ca/0401...

Anyway, I agree that dogs should not be chained up for long periods of time. I know people get dogs for different reasons, but I've never really understood the concept of having an "outside dog." I have a dog and have had dogs because I enjoy playing with them and having them around with me in the house. I enjoy their companionship. I guess I would just hope people want dogs for that companionship rather than to try and use or abuse the dog.

I don't think a dog should be chained up 24/7. I have a big yard but no fence right now, so we hook Sadie up to a lead and let her out to relieve herself. She's usually not out there more than 20 minutes at a time, and if she's on her lead longer it's generally because we're outside with her. We live close enough to town where we can't just let her run around without having her on a leash of some kind. She also gets walked at least once every day during the warmer weather. Even if we had a fence, which we are planning on getting at some point, I wouldn't leave my baby out there all day.

Dogs should not be chained up on a property where there is no chance of escaping.

However, they should always be on a leash when walking in public areas.

There are just too many dog attacks these days and many people do not like dogs charging towards them. There is no way of knowing if they are friendly or not.

There is a great deal of difference between having your dog on a cable for safety reasons or running off reasons and chaining and forgetting. I have seen the chain and forget owners too many times and yes, the dog does suffer.
If you take an animal - any kind of animal into your family then that animal should be treated as family. Pets do have feelings.
We have two Blue Heelers who are family members. Period.
They live indoors with us. I make sure that they eat before we do. (It's not like they can fix their own bowl of food). They go out when they want to go out and come in when they want to come in. They sit on the furniture just as much as we do and they go to the vet for check ups just as a child would go to the doctor.
As a result, they have protected us when necessary, they are always there when you just need a hug and they are loyal and loving. They aren't our only children. We have three kids and a cat that they think is facsinating.
When I was little I read a poem that pretty much sums it up. You can use it how you see fit.
I wish someone would tell me
what it is that I've done wrong
and why I must be chained outside
left alone so long.
They seemed so glad to have me
when I was just a pup.
There were so many things we'd do
while I was growing up.
The children said they'd feed me
and brush me everyday.
They'd play with me and walk me
if I would only stay.
But now the children "haven't time".
The mistress says I shed.
She won't allow me in the house
not even to be fed.
All I want, you see, is love.
I wish someone would explain
just why they said they wanted mine
and then left it....on a chain.
~Author unknown

I can't stand for dogs to be on chains either, but many people don't have fences to keep their dogs in. Lots of dogs don't do well in the house. So many dogs are getting out in the road getting killed.

It hurts my heart to see dogs chained, but it is better than them getting run over. I don't think they should be left without any human contact though. They are pack animals, they need to bond with people.