No, I think dogsbody was saying that he (?) thinks that it’s abuse, but officially it’s not.
Chum,
I did read the post.:rolleyes:
I came to the same conclusion The Ryan did. I wasn’t fully sure if this was what was intended, thus the question:
I was looking for clarification from the author not further interpretation. But thank you anyway for coming across as condescending, smug, and arrogant.
And I would seriously like to read any debates along these lines if anyone knows of any. The concept intrigues me, admittedly as I don’t see how you would support that argument, but intriguing none the less.
Kopi, I’m sorry you have to witness this kind of abuse of a gentle and loving animal. I, too, will encourage you to try to adopt outright. Good luck!
(I had also planned on taking minor issue with the hillbilly reference but I see someone beat me to it so never mind. 
)
Ask them to dinner and have the dog snatched by a friend while you’re in their (miserable) company. How could they possibly know you did it? 
THEY are your iron-clad alibi.
Thank YOU, Kopi, for making sure the poor creature has clean water, when they do not. Even that little bit is something to ease her suffering.
Would you consider the same treatment to a child to be child abuse?
No, animals and people are not the same, but they’re not so different that being chained to a tree in the yard 24/7 isn’t a totally miserable existence for either one. Keeping an animal in a miserable, lonely existence is abuse in my eyes.
Yeah, so? Practice the wide-eyed “Who me???” technique before you snatch her. Or do what has already been suggested, make it look like the collar or chain broke.
As you said, the Human Society, cops, and animal control can’t do anything. As things are right now, you and your husband are the only people who can actually help this dog. Not to sound harsh, but ranting about it on a message board isn’t going to help. If you truly want to do something, DO IT!
As a former nappy-headed child and a currently nappy-headed adult, I cordially invite you to bite me.
Cajo - So? What if the kids do have nappy hair?
Subsitute the word “nappy” with “bald”, “redheaded”, “towheaded”, “mullet”, “dark-haired” or any other descriptive word for the appearance of their hair, big fucking deal!
Nice knee-jerk though.
The other thing to do is simply slip the collar over the dog’s neck. This is usually possible if you are careful with the ears, but most dogs don’t seem to slip their collars themselves. Anyway, an empty collar with a few tufts of hair stuck to it should look natural enough.
Perhaps I’ve just heard one too many instances of “nappy-headed” used as a racial put-down – hence the, uh “knee jerk” reaction. It can make one feel like a redheaded step-child. (See what I did there? It’s all about context.)
:eek:
Bite me!
Kidding 
Opalcat,
Thanks for your opinion, but that is not what I was looking for. Again I was looking for an explanation from dogsbody regarding his response not others interpretation of his response.
I appreciate what you are saying, and I agree that being chained 24/7 with inadequate water/food/shelter and infrequent exercise isn’t acceptable. I don’t agree that a chain can’t be implemented as a form of restrain humanely and safely though. I got the feeling that a chain is never acceptable to dogsbody and this is what I was interested in as I have never run across this position before.
Sorry for the lateness of this response; I was away from my computer all weekend.
I never meant that being chained up in the back yard for short periods of time was necessarily inhumane. I was referring to the situation as referenced in the OP. Dogs are pack creatures, and to be left alone and tied to a tree as described in the OP is not humane treatment.
That said, I don’t like the idea of unsupervised dogs being chained. However, this has more to do with the fact that we once had a dog try to hang herself with her collar when we briefly left her unattended in the yard on her lead 
than any inherent ill in chaining.
Also, those dogs that I have seen chained in the past tend to show other signs of abuse or neglect. But that’s just MHO.
In other words, keeping a dog tied has its place. But not 24/7, and not as a replacement for training/interacting with the dog.
Also, BTW, I’m a she. I’ll never figure out where this gender confusion comes from.
My bad. :eek: Her response.
Regarding chaining, gotcha! I don’t concur 100% but am mostly of the same opinion.
Still curious though if anyone is 100% against chains? I would still be interested in listening to what they have to say.
Kopi, do you have a dog? My dog and the dog next door sometimes visit each other. It gives them a chance to play and my dog seems to get something out of it that she doesn’t don’t get with people. Maybe you could let the dog visit, and forget to return them. At the very least, it might be a stopgap and a chance for the dog to receive some care while you wait for the dog to “run off”…
S’okay. I’m getting used to being mistaken for a guy on the internet. I just don’t understand why it happens.
Poor pooch. Go ahead and free the dog. The worse that’ll happen is they’ll fine you. Doubt you’ll get actual jail time. Besides, we’ll all chip in to cover the costs of the lawyer. Won’t we, guys?
I said, “Won’t we, guys?”
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Okay, scrap that plan.