The animal activist group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals supports the ordinance change proposed by police Chief Mark Macon and will be offering free and low-cost services to help residents comply with the changes, the organization said in a statement.
Members of the community are invited to call PETA at 1-800-566-9798 to receive free tips on house-training, low-cost spaying and neutering services, and other types of assistance.
"Thanks to Chief Macon and Mayor Julia Meacham as well as the commissioners' votes in favor of this ordinance, dogs in Weldon won't spend a lonely life chained outside," PETA Director Martin Mersereau said in a news release. "PETA is here to help Weldon residents with house-training, spaying and neutering, and bringing dogs indoors to live with the rest of the family, where they belong."
Said Macon in the statement: "Chained dogs are more likely to attack passersby, including children, so from a public-safety perspective, it is critical to enact a ban on chaining dogs now, before anybody in Weldon gets hurt. Mayor Meacham and I will continue to work with PETA to determine the best ways of enforcing this essential new ban."
Dogs chained outdoors are forced to endure all weather extremes, and they spend their entire lives eating, sleeping, and eliminating in the same few square feet of space, PETA said. “Chained dogs are also defenseless, which makes them easy targets for thieves, dogfighters, and neighbors who are annoyed by the dogs' barking. In addition, chaining dogs — who are highly social pack animals—deprives them of the social interaction that they need, which can make them aggressive. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that chained dogs are nearly three times as likely to attack as are dogs who are not chained.”
Macon said this afternoon the police department is in the process of making the public aware of the new ordinance, including placing magnets on patrol cars and working with people who cannot become compliant by April 1.
As the ordinance stands, kennels must have four secure sides and be at least 6-feet high. They must be chain linked or made of compatible material. No wooden structures are allowed, with the exception of existing fenced-in yards that meet the height requirements. They must be properly cleaned and clean water and appropriate food must be supplied.
For dogs less than 20 pounds the enclosure can be no smaller than 150 square feet. For dogs 20 pounds or more the enclosure can be no smaller than 250 square feet.
A canopy can't take up more than one-quarter of the floor or pen.
Macon said the new ordinance was driven by citizen concerns. “We had concerned citizens come to meetings and voice their opinions about dogs being tied up. I found a dog that was tied to a porch had fallen off and hung itself several years ago. This is an effort to increase the health of dogs and my concern for the well-being of the animals. I'm glad PETA stepped in to help.”
Anyone found guilty of misdemeanor tethering must pay a $150 fine.
The ordinance also addresses the number of dogs a person may have, three being the maximum and a $50 fee for more than three — $150 for a dealer or breeder to get a kennel license.
