All of us have passed, with sadness in our hearts, a chained dog who is chained for his entire life - often neglected and ignored by his irresponsible "owner" without food, water, shelter or vet care. Such a dog is a ticking time bomb - bored, ignored and ready to defend his small territory no matter who enters it, including a child. The vast majority of dog attacks are by the "family" dog chained outside. Most of us are responsible pet owners and would never subject our beloved friend to such a psychologically numbing fate, but many many people still do because it is not illegal - yet. It's time we updated the laws and made these people either take responsibility for their "best friends" and bring them inside or build them a fence, or adopt them out to a loving family who will provide the love and care they need and deserve. Please help us to show the MO State Legislature that the majority of people would like to see this cruel practice stopped. California has done it, so can Missouri! Attitudes are changing - we are so close, and we need your help to make these dogs' lives worth living. Visit www.dogsdeservebetter.org for more info.

Dogs Deserve Better, a national nonprofit organization and the 2003 First Place Winner of the ASPCA/Chase Pet Protector Award, is a voice for chained and penned dogs, whose sadness speaks only through the eyes. As the days become years, many of these dogs sit, lay, eat, and defecate within the same 10-foot radius. Chained by the neck, they exist without respect, love, exercise, social interaction, and sometimes even basic nourishment. They live as prisoners, yet long to be pets.

Chaining is not only inhumane for dogs, but has taken a severe toll on this nation’s children as well. In the period from October 2003 through today, there were at least 349 children killed or seriously injured by chained dogs across the country. Chained dogs, unsocialized with humans, can become very territorial of their tiny space, and any two year old who wanders into this space can be attacked and killed before adults can intervene. A recent attack in Arkansas in October 2009 left 2 year old Matthew Clayton Hurt dead from head and neck wounds. He was attacked and killed by an unspayed female chained in the backyard, with puppies.

Would you for one second choose to live the life of these dogs? No matter what reason is given, the bottom line is that it is NOT ok to chain a dog for life. Dogs should not have to live chained or penned as prisoners, yearning for a place in a family, craving acknowledgement, respect, and love. They DESERVE BETTER, and we as caretakers have the obligation to provide it for them.

Please consider today how you can help the dogs in your neighborhood. If you see a chained dog or a penned dog daily, it is time to take action. Please join Dogs Deserve Better today in taking a stand against this mistreatment of dogs.

This campaign has been tagged animal rights, animal welfare, Dogs, and dogs deserve better.