{"id":15947,"date":"2015-09-08T15:13:17","date_gmt":"2015-09-08T19:13:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kb.webitgarage.ca\/cut-the-chain-the-montreal-spca-asks-quebec-citizens-to-take-action-in-order-to-ban-the-permanent-chaining-of-dogs\/"},"modified":"2018-06-11T22:21:06","modified_gmt":"2018-06-12T02:21:06","slug":"cut-the-chain-the-montreal-spca-asks-quebec-citizens-to-take-action-in-order-to-ban-the-permanent-chaining-of-dogs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.spca.com\/en\/cut-the-chain-the-montreal-spca-asks-quebec-citizens-to-take-action-in-order-to-ban-the-permanent-chaining-of-dogs\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cCut the Chain\u201d: The Montreal SPCA asks Quebec citizens to take action in order to ban the permanent chaining of dogs"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Tethering_visual\"<\/a>Montreal, September 8, 2015 –<\/b> The Montreal SPCA is launching its \u201cCut the Chain<\/b>\u201d<\/a> campaign aimed at persuading the provincial government to prohibit the permanent chaining of dogs. Citizens from across the province are invited to take action by visiting cutthechain.ca<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Currently, in Quebec, thousands of dogs spend their entire lives chained outdoors, in full legality. \u201cNearly one third of all animal cruelty complaints received by our Inspection Department concern chained dogs,\u201d says Me Sophie Gaillard, Lawyer and campaigns manager for the Montreal SPCA\u2019s Animal Advocacy Department. \u201cWe know that dogs, who are social animals, suffer severely from spending their lives at the end of a chain, but unfortunately, until the government bans this practice, we remain helpless to alleviate their suffering,\u201d adds Me Gaillard.<\/p>\n

With a few clicks, Quebec citizens can take a stand by signing a letter addressed to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Pierre Paradis, on the cutthechain.ca<\/a> website.<\/p>\n

The initiative was launched in the context of the significant improvements to provincial animal welfare legislation promised by Bill 54. The Montreal SPCA believes that a ban on the permanent chaining of dogs must be part of any upcoming amendments.<\/p>\n

A multi-faceted issue: Inhumane conditions and a threat to public safety<\/b>
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Permanent chaining is inhumane, as it is detrimental to dogs\u2019 physical and psychological well-being. Chained dogs are at increased risk of injuring themselves and are frequently neglected. They are exposed to extreme cold in the winter, and suffocating heat in the summer. Isolated, unable to socialize, play, exercise, or express natural behaviour, chained dogs develop severe boredom and frustration, eventually leading to psychological distress.<\/p>\n

Permanent chaining of dogs also raises serious public safety concerns. Due to their inability to flee or escape, tethered dogs are more likely to display aggressive behavior when faced with a perceived threat. Additionally, constant physical restraint promotes excessive territoriality, which can also lead to aggression. Indeed, research has shown that chained dogs are nearly three times more likely to bite than dogs not living on chains and are over five times more likely to bite children.<\/p>\n

The provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia have recently enacted bans on permanent tethering, as have a number of municipalities across Canada. It is time for the province of Quebec to follow the lead of these jurisdictions and require that all dogs be kept in conditions that ensure for their welfare also keep our communities safe.<\/p>\n

The Montreal SPCA\u2019s demands:<\/b><\/p>\n