There are dogs chained up all over Clinton County. There are dogs spending 24/7, 365 chained to a tree, a stump, a deck, a car or maybe even a dog house. Unfortunately it’s entirely legal to chain a dog 24/7 in New York State. We only hear about these dogs when good samaritans contact us, when they are upset. Dogs may also be locked in outdoor kennels in freezing cold weather, where the owner just leaves them to freeze to death. Animal control responds to calls often, but unfortunately until there are better laws in place, little can be done.
**If you have more pictures, please pass them along. Our residents and representatives need to witness the problem we have with the 24/7 chaining of dogs in Clinton County New York.
Beekmantown– I have driven by this Husky chained to an enormous dog house on Route 9 in Beekmantown for two straight years. When WCAX put this picture on the news, the owner got very upset claiming the dog “has a good life.” Frankly that’s what they all say when they are put on the spot. Every time I drive by, I see this dog out there.
Champlain– A chained dog in Champlain New York. The owner indicates the dog is brought inside at night. This dog belongs to the family that was just prosecuted for leaving 20 or so cats to die locked in their house on main stream in the Village of Champlain.
Champlain– Animal control and the New York State Police recently responded to a call where this Husky was found sitting in standing mud, chained up with no shelter, food or water. The animal control officer Jody Peryea helped the owner drag a shack of a doghouse out of the woods, which now acts as the dog’s shelter. We have been told that Jody returned to help bring the doghouse up to code. We also discovered that this is the same family and household where Sandra Barber the convicted cat hoarder lives. So the animal cruelty continues in this household.
Dog tethering laws are tools used to educate owners about the proper care and treatment of dogs. We are hoping the owner was educated and understands he could have received a citation. Hopefully he’ll do better the next time. I was not there for the conversation between the animal control officer Jody Peryea and the dog’s owner, but the dog is supposed to be brought in at night and under the Village of Champlain law, only be outside 4-hours at a time. Clearly this dog is not living a very good life and a dog tethering law is only as good as the animal control officers who enforces the law.
Ellenburg– Ellenburg has SO many hunting dogs living on chains. We attended a town public hearing in Ellenburg where a dog owner fought hard to keep his dogs on chains. We do not have photos of these dogs, but we know they exist. Their owner argued that because he pays $10,000 a year in property taxes, nobody should be able to tell him what he can and cannot do with his dogs.
Mooers- I began my fight for a dog tethering law in Clinton County when I noticed a German Sheppard mix puppy that lives on a chain 24/7. His name is Spike, and he had a Husky sister who spent 11.5 years on a chain; chained up in the middle of a field in Mooers. The Husky has since died on her chain, while Spike still remains on his chain 2-years later.
Peru– A Husky named Loki has been living on a chain across the street from the Peru school for the past two years. He was a Christmas gift, that was quickly chained outside by his owner. His owner does want to find him new home, but she doesn’t want anyone to know that he has lived his entire life on a chain. Unfortunately dogs that have lived on a chain their whole lives, need training and his new owner will need to understand that he will have behavioral issues. Therefore it is necessary to notify any potential adopters of Loki, that he has spent his life on a chain.
This is a photo of Loki taken by animal control when he escaped yet again from his chain. He was so happy to be loose, only to be taken to the Elmore SPCA and taken right back home again to be put back on his chain. Neighbors say he whines and cries all the time and they hope he is given a new home soon.
Peru- These Huskies are currently chained up in Peru. What’s worse is they are not spayed/neutered. They continue to have puppies which then contribute to our pet overpopulation in Clinton County. Does this look like they are living a good life?
Peru- This is one of the puppies, of the dogs above. This past summer it was spotted chained to a tree in Peru with no food, water, or shelter. The issue was dealt with and the owners have assured me they did purchase a fence so the dog would not spend its life on a chain.
Peru– This is a photo taken by an “onlooker” who noticed these dogs chained up in the July heat when it was 90 degrees outside. The dogs had no shade, no water, and barely any room to move on their chain.
Peru– Elmore SPCA- We were notified of a dog that was taken into custody by animal control, and taken to the Elmore SPCA. While in their custody the dog tried to escape and ended up hanging itself to death. This is one of the dangers of allowing a dog to live on a chain unsupervised, and it happened while in the care of the Elmore SPCA. The animal control officer told us this story explaining that he was upset that this happened to a dog he put in their custody. Sad.
Peru– There are dogs chained up all over the town of Peru. We are working on getting additional photos.
Clinton County New York Dog Tethering Law Campaign 