Bravo for Tx City! The new law is long overdue and is a huge step toward humane treatment of dogs. I hope other cities take notice!

I believe this is a perfect law, However, the Animal protection agency's around the state don't have the personnel to enforce it. I think that there are many ppl out there that have no business with dogs at all. I hope that this law spreads around the state.

I think this is a wonderful law also!! I dont understand having a dog if he/she is only going to be chained up outside!! However, I worry about where the people will put the animals once the animals have to be removed from the chains. What if the people refuse to build the fence or cannot actually afford to build a fence. Will they just be allowed to roam free and possibly hit and killed in traffic? Will they be abandoned somewhere? Will they be relegated to enclosed areas such as garages - where they will be out of site but not in any better situation (and probably worse than on the chain!)? I think this is a wonderful first step in ending this type of inhumane treatment - but it doesnt address the "what will happen to the poor dogs after the law goes into effect"!!

Great Law...a chain should not be necessary. If you cannot fence the animal or keep it indoors then don't have an animal. On the other side of the coin however,I am afraid of what this law will cause to happen....I fear many dog owners will now just dump the dogs. Keeping in mind that many dog owners who do not allow the Dog indoors usually do not consider the Dog as a "pet" and will feel no remorse at dumping the animal rather than the expense of erecting a fence.I hope I am wrong...but I doubt it.

Ray

YAY!! Now if the rest of the cities in Galveston, Harris and Brazoria county will follow suit then we will be making a HUGE headway for better pet owners! This is such awesome news.
I bet there will be less dog attacks in TX City now.

I am very glad to see that steps are being made towards giving dogs better lives. (I took in a dog who was kept chained without shelter or attention not too long ago. She now has love, shelter, been spayed, given her shots and heartworm meds. She's great!) However, I hope that there are steps put in place to help people who aren't able to build fences build them, especially if they aren't able to bring the pet inside because they rent. I hope and pray that animals aren't dumped or placed in garages because of this law, that there is help and education that goes along with it.

I believe this is a great start to reducing animal abuse. Chaining your dog to "anything" for long periods of time is considered animal cruelty and should not be tolerated. Dogs are domesticated pets and should be part of a family and enjoy the same kind of shelter as the owner. If someone restricts a dog to a confined area, the dog with develop poor behavior patterns. There are no cruel dogs, just uneducated owners. Owners who partake in this should not have the luxury of owning a dog. I really hope that law authorities monitor who currently chains their dog and observe these owners and what they decide to do with their dog now they are not allowed to chain. I feel that they should also educate the owners that there are many shelters that can adopt and give them the home they deserve.

What about leashes - do they count as chains? While there is no reason to leave a dog chained for long period of time it can at times be the best alternative for a conscious pet owner.
What is the difference between a long chain and a very small dog run (perhaps a child's play pen converted to a dog confinement space)?
A lead that slides along a trolley system. A trolley system is like a clothesline that the dog is attached to by a leash. The leash is attached to the line by a rolling trolley. The dog can run back and forth the length of the line.
It can triple the amount of space the dog has available to him.

There are always two sides to every story. Well here is a flip side. There are responsible owners around that have been fallowing city codes and ordinances for a long time. Now because of the new laws going into effect they have to go to a lot of exspence for compliance with these ordinances. I know someone that has well over $3000.00 invested into his kennels for his dogs in Texas City. He is now being told that even though his kennels, which were twice the size that was previously required to house a dog in Texas City, have to be dismantled and made even larger. Answer me this question, if there is no one person, business or entity that is exempt from this new set of laws, (oh and there is more than the no chain and 10 X 15 enclosure it just wasn't added to the news release), then does the animal control office have to tear down there kennels and rebuild, how about the vets in TC that board dogs, what about the pet shops that sell animal? Yes I agree to a point on the no chain rule, but the enclosure size is uterly rediculous. That is larger than most bedrooms in the homes in Texas City. Strange how the county oridinace for enclosures used to be the length of the dog times 2 long and the width of the wide. Just enough room to turn around and move a little. The animal shelters large outdoor runs are only 5 X 10. See I don't believe in chaining my dogs, my dogs live in the home with us and go in and out at will, into a fenced in back yard of standard size her in TC. And believe me I know about love for your pets as if they were your own children. If not I couldn't handle 4 giant breed dogs in the home. But there are some dogs that just want to be outside, they live for the outdoors. I have one that would much rather be out in the sun playing outdoors, but now without putting up an enclosure she can't even be out more that to go potty for fear of neibhors that are animal control happy. See like I said, there is always another side to every story. Also the friend with the kennels already in place, consulted with the oficials over this. You know what they want you to do is to go to Lowes her in TC and buy the largest kennel they sell there. There is only one problem, the largest kennel at lowes is 10 X 10. 50 sq foot to small. How well was this enclosure size really thought out, who is going to put a chihuahua in a 10 X 15 enclosure, poor thing would get lost in the grass.... I just feel that this should have been presented to the public. Other than the news release on TV the residents of Texas City have not been notified of this ordinance, and that they only have 60 days to comply. Why are the city officials and the Mayor afraid to notify the citizens as they do with other issues, which is usually a general mailer. Are they afraid of the backlash of citizens that were in compliance, prior to the new ordinance, and have major investments into there kennels. Or are they afraid of the backlash from all the people that can't aford fences or kennels, but are overall good pet owners. Mr. Mayor, there needs to be some grandfather clausing going on for the residents that already have pre-existing structures that meet or exceed county code.

Just food for thought!!!!!

This issue concerns me to a great extent. Not because I am all for dogs being on leashes or chains when they need room to roam. The neighbors next to me rent a house and have a terribly mean pit bull that they keep on a chain when it is outside. Granted it is not always outside, I can't mow my own yard because the fence is chain and about 4 feet which this dog can easily reach and stand up on. I can't even let my two toddler kids play in the yard without wondering what that dog is going to do next. This new ordinance is only going to cost me money because the owners of the rent house won't help with the cost of the new taller fence on that side. Should it be my misfortune to come up with the money to keep this dog from doing what they are well known for doing? I think not. The average call for animal control out here in Texas City can be hours from past experience. I'm not faulting them for this, but I think David is right that their are not enough people to enforce this. The Police won't make it a rush call for that, I know.

IT IS ABOUT TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All these people whinning, I bet they wouldn't be whinning if they were the unfortunate dog tied to a tree for 15 years or so.This needs to be implemented world wide!!!!! Anyone who disagrees with this law doesn't deserve a pet. If being tied to a tree isn't cruel, then tie yourself and your children to a tree and see how they react! Animals are wild creatures at heart and have the innate urge to roam and be social. Anyone who disagrees needs to get a fish they can control and keep confined.

It's all about money, isn't it? Nevermind the quality of life of a living being, sorry guess only humans count?! Anyone who disagrees with this ordinance should be ashamed. Living on the end of a chain, leash, rope, etc., is NOT living, period. You try it sometime and see how you like it! *GASP* That will never happen, will it? As for kennels, a flip side to the same old torture of being confined. I don't know the 'correct' size is for a dog. I don't think a dog with a HOME should be stuck in a confined space.

It's a sad, miserable life, and I'd rather see the dog put down than have to 'live' either way. I work in a shelter each week. I see all the homeless pets in one shelter and I can multiply and get the bigger picture.... there is a definite fault in the system of humans and pets. I cannot tell you how many times we've removed ropes, chains, and way-too-tight collars from dogs that 'escaped' from whatever hell on earth they were living. Better yet, how about an imbedded collar, rope, or chain, where you can see bare flesh of the animal. $3 thousand or $3 million, there is NO acceptable figure for cruelty. Putting an end to chains is a step in the right direction. Good work Texas City, you've earned a little respect from this lifelong citizen of the Houston area.

I think the opinion of a 'responsible' pet owner is grossly skewed. Take it or leave it, spread it on your sandwich and eat it, this is my take on the subject. God Bless all those that cannot speak for themselves, and for those that are indeed suffering this very minute.

Yay Nancy, that post was my fav. =)

From what I am reading, most everyone that has blogged agrees with the law!! I dont recall anyone stating that it was not a good law or that it should not have been passed!! But regardless of how long overdue the law is, I am still concerned (as I stated way down below) about what the irresponsible dog owner will do with the animal once the animal is removed from the chain!! Closed up in a garage, or basement, or tool shed, anywhere they can be hidden would be just as bad for them as being chained - and maybe even worse!! Is being abandoned to the streets to a possible death a better solution - which again may be what the irresponsible owner will do also!! I am a volunteer and a foster mom for a dog rescue org based in Humble - and we rescue anmails from inhumane conditions - so I definately dont believe a dog should be chained!! They should be a part of the family and treated as such!! I dont know what the answer is - but I do not believe that this one law (by itself) is going to aleviate all suffering for these poor furbabies!! It may just create new ways to suffer!!

Congratulations, Texas City! A smart ordinance to pass. I am also very glad as a Houston citizen that the city is following in their footsteps.