Metropolitan King County Council 516 Third Ave., Rm. 1200 Seattle, WA 98104 Phone: 206-296-1000 Toll Free: 800-325-6165 TTY/TDD: 206-296-1024 Fax: 206-296-0198 council@kingcounty.gov
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Oct. 27, 2008 “Unchained:” County Council examining ban on continuous chaining of dogs Studies tie continuous confinement to aggressive behavior In an effort to protect the public from overly aggressive dogs, the Metropolitan King County Council today called for an examination of the idea of banning the continuous chaining or tethering of dogs.
“Continuous chaining of dogs has been identified as inhumane by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and chained dogs are 2.8 times more likely to bite than unchained dogs,” said Council Chair Julia Patterson, prime sponsor of the motion. “For the health and welfare of both people and dogs, we hope to determine whether a ban on continuous dog leashing is practical and enforceable in King County.”
“Dogs are social pack animals, and forced isolation through continuous chaining is cruel and can make them aggressive or even vicious,” said Council Vice Chair Dow Constantine. “We already have laws in King County regarding dogs whose behavior makes them a nuisance or a threat. A ban on inhumane continuous chaining would address one cause of this behavior.”
According to the American Veterinary Association, dogs that are continuously confined by chain or tether may exhibit aggressive behavior toward humans and other animals. The motion adopted today directs the County Executive to study the feasibility of banning continuous chaining and report his findings to the Council by February 28, 2009.
“Banning the continuous chaining of dogs can keep both people and animals safer,” said Councilmember Larry Phillips. “More education and early intervention around the root causes of aggressive behavior in dogs can lead to happier, better behaved dogs and help prevent attacks on innocent victims.”
“Due to concerns about community safety and to ensure the humane treatment of animals, more than 100 communities in more than 30 states have already passed laws banning or carefully regulating continuous chaining,” said Councilmember Bob Ferguson. “Surveying the experiences of other jurisdictions is an important part of the study and will offer valuable insights as we consider this issue here in King County.”
The Council motion calls for the incorporation of comments from the King County Sheriff, King County Prosecutor, King County Animal Control Officers Guild, National Animal Control Association, and county residents into the final study. The study will also address the costs and challenges of implementing the ban in both the unincorporated areas of King County and in the 34 suburban cities that contract with the County for animal services.
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