Flystrike is a painful condition in which flies attracted to dogs' waste eat away at their flesh, leaving bloody wounds and infections.
Three of the ads read, Heat Can Kill. Take Dogs Indoors and can be seen in Roanoke Rapids on Interstate 95 southbound at the exit to Highway 158 and on I-95 northbound at Justice Branch Road as well as in Weldon along I-95 southbound near Maria Avenue.
The other two ads read, Warning: Flystrike! and urge guardians to protect dogs from flystrike by cleaning outside areas daily and treating wounds with ointment such as Flys Off.
These billboards can be seen in Enfield on I-95 southbound near Heathsville Road as well as on I-95 southbound near Highway 481.
"Chained dogs forced to sleep, eat, and relieve themselves in the same patch of dirt suffer year-round, but those left outside in the scorching heat can actually be eaten alive by flies, fleas, mosquitoes, and other parasites," says People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Senior Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch. "PETA's billboards remind caring guardians to protect dogs from heat stroke, flystrike, and even death by taking them inside where they belong."
Meanwhile, the organization reported on last Tuesday Scotland Neck Mayor Eddie Braxton and town commissioners voted unanimously in favor of a ban on leaving dogs chained or tethered unattended outdoors.
The ban, which members of PETA's Community Animal Project met with the commissioners about earlier this year,—will go into effect on August 1.
"Scotland Neck's chaining ban will protect dogs and the community alike by sparing dogs a lifetime of isolation and being chained," Nachminovitch said in a statement. "PETA stands ready to help the community with free spay and neuter services as well as tips on taking dogs indoors to live with the rest of the family."
PETA said chained dogs are forced to endure all weather extremes and spend their entire lives eating, sleeping, and eliminating in the same few square feet of space. “They are also defenseless, which makes them easy targets for thieves, dogfighters, and neighbors who are annoyed by barking,” the organization said. “In addition, chaining dogs—who are highly social pack animals—deprives them of social interaction, which can make them aggressive.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found chained dogs are nearly three times more likely to attack than dogs not chained.