Dogs Are Not Human Beings

As of Friday, February 22, 2013

In reference to Noelle Lenser’s letter “Unchaining Our Dogs” (Feb. 8), indeed a dog should be declared man’s best friend. Their loyalty to mankind is incomparable.

As much as some would like to think, they are not in any way human. I do not say that to belittle the service they give in so many ways, but they are the private property of their owners.

As any of God’s creation, given charge to us over them, it is a responsibility to care for them. I have raised and cared for hounds for more than four decades.

So who is the expert in animal care, the ones who organize and say we know better than owners?

Even so, there are some who should not have a pet. I think a pet owner proves in time his or her responsibility as one, as do the majority of pet owners in this county.

No matter if properly kept on a chain or penned, if loved and provided shelter, food, and clean water, they are well-provided for, better than some humans in our society.

Where is the scientific proof to say what is better in how they are kept, as long as an animal is confined, right? I thank you for your opinion, but that is all it is, just as mine is.

Sometimes one definition of right does not make it so. I think that it has more to do with control over someone’s life and liberty than anything else.

I do not question your love and concern over them, nor should you mine. I surely would not want to give foothold to any radical we know better than you “groups” in this county.

We do just fine, and so do our animals. God bless them and their owners, and you for your concerns.

Sherry Vredenburg

West End

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SH59 2 months, 3 weeks ago

It would be nice if the Pilot gave us the link to the article you are talking about "Unchaining our Dogs" so we could refer back to it.

FightFireWithFire 2 months, 3 weeks ago

I ran a search online, and could not find the letter mentioned. Perhaps it was only in the print edition?
As for the chained dog debate, I think I will lend my two cents. I have a neighbor who never walks her dogs, they are chained in the yard regardless of weather. The young lady does not work, she is home all day. You can hear the husky howling in the backyard and her other little dog gets off it's chain and runs loose, frequently defecating in my yard. She is not a responsible pet owner. I believe we do need to follow suit with Cumberland county and put a no-tether law in place here. If people are not willing to take the time to walk their dogs and to ensure they are not becoming nuisances to their neighbors they should not be allowed to have dogs.

Themis 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Yep.......if you're just gonna chain a dog up and feed it and never take time with it it is no better life for that dog than a beef cattle raised for slaughter! I was fortunate enough to be raised in the country where a dog could be a dog. Why a person with a 3 room house would buy a great dane and keep it chained its whole life is beyond me. It is the same as animal abuse. I have three and have built nice fencing for them. They are well cared for and groomed. I am a dedicated animal owner and understand the huge responsibility of being a pet owner. It makes you wonder how they treat their kids if a loving animal is that neglected.

Toda 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Sherry perhaps you should meet Frank Ringleberg with animal control. I'm sure he would give you one of his CD's about animal cruelty here in Moore County.

My two dogs are no less than family and we treat them as such. They have emotions, personalities, they desire comfort and love. They are not chained by their necks on 100 degree days, turn over their water bowls and food; they are not chained during thunder storms. Chained dogs are bitten and stung by insects without any relief from pain or discomfort. They don't have to walk around in their own waste.

So please tell me how your dogs avoid those uncomfortable situations?

Dogs should be no more chained than their owners, Just my opinion....

buskwon 2 months, 3 weeks ago

“Dogs are better than human beings because they know but do not tell.”

― Emily Dickinson

mymindwanders 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Although dogs cannot be human beings, there are some human beings who can be dogs. Animal abuse is unexcusable and unforgivable. If this statement hits a sore spot, that should tell u something.

buskwon 2 months, 3 weeks ago

"Dogs are us, only innocent." --Cynthia Heimel

buskwon 2 months, 3 weeks ago

"Heaven goes by favor; If it went on merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in." -- Mark Twain

buskwon 2 months, 3 weeks ago

"A dog has the soul of a philosopher" -- Plato

buskwon 2 months, 3 weeks ago

"Dogs Are Not Human Beings", "They are much better" ---Me

Themis 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Toda - good comment -Sounds like we are all in agreement......chains are for criminals!

JimRussell44 2 months, 3 weeks ago

So good to see that on this, we can all agree.

Thatcher 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Toda-- You and I may disagree on some things from time to time, but dogs ain't one of them...you are 100% correct. Great post! Cheers!

Toda 2 months, 3 weeks ago

"Themis 10 hours, 1 minute ago Toda - good comment -Sounds like we are all in agreement......chains are for criminals!"

Thanks Thatcher ...

Chains are for criminals ... so is the death penalty. The animal who raped and murdered Alyia Davis in Sanford shouldn't see another light of day. I would push the plunger if asked!

Frenchie0405 2 months, 3 weeks ago

This is the original letter that I wrote. Help “ Unchain” Moore County

Dogs have often been called “man’s best friend”. Indeed, they give us unconditional love. They are social beings who need love and interaction in return, in order to be physically and mentally healthy. Irresponsible “chaining” of dogs (24 hours a day without reprieve or socialization) should be unacceptable, as it has detrimental effects for the dog and the owner. It is dangerous for the dog’s safety, as it has no way to defend itself or it can lead to strangulation, even death. Also, such isolation can cause bad behaviors such as jumping, over- excitability, irritability and sometimes aggression. This behavior often has a negative effect on the dog-owner relationship causing further damage. Dogs do suffer from depression and anxiety. “Chaining” doesn’t allow them to have the necessary physical activity or socialization, and leads to frustration as they have no “outlet” to demonstrate their feelings. Moore County loves animals and we have many advocates in this area. A non-profit “Unchaining Moore Dogs” has been founded and needs this community’s help. This organization offers free fences to dogs that are continuously chained. It has a nonjudgmental approach and the only expectation from the owner is to allow us to spay or neuter their dog, in order to prevent the already overwhelming pet population. The goal is to also educate children and adults about the negative ramifications of chaining and offer alternatives. I believe that we can make a difference by making a change for one dog at a time, one person at a time, and one community at a time. This program has worked effectively in other counties, and we could be proud if we could join them, and lead by example as to how we should really treat “man’s best friend”. I urge you to find more information on how to help at unchainingmooredogs.com and join us on Facebook. “The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated”- Mahatma Gandi One at a time, Noelle Lenser

Courseaire 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Apparently, you've never seen any of the girls I dated in High School. Of course, they thought pigs were human.

Toda 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Three baggers I suspect?

pinewoodnc 2 months, 3 weeks ago

I did animal rescue in Texas for six years and saw about anything you can see concerning cruelity to dogs. I saw dogs chained in a yard with no water, no shade in 100+ temperatures and their chains wrapped around a tree so they couldn't even lie down. I saw dogs with mange so severe that they had no hair and almost no skin left on their bodies and had to be euthanized. I rehabed a few with milder mange problems that took six months to treat. With all my exposure, I still am sickened by the way some people treat their pets. Pets may not be human, but they are family members and should be treated with the kind of care and diligence that any other family member would be shown. If a person can't love, care for, show attention to and cherish their canine family members, then they have no business owning them. There should be leash laws (for the protection of the dog), but I don't believe any dog should be chained and basically ignored in someone's backyard. They are social animals and need us humans as much as we want them. They can feel pain, sadness, grief, jealousy and love just like we do.

teufelhunden 2 months, 3 weeks ago

I am a true dog lover. Like family.

There is an interesting article by Bill O'Reilly about how dogs have more rights than humans in some states like Colorado and Vermont. Just a really good read. Might tick off a few so...

Thatcher 2 months, 3 weeks ago

pinewoodnc-- Like Toda's post a couple of days ago, you are 100% correct. Thanks to both of you for your excellent posts. Cheers!

babiehop 2 months, 3 weeks ago

I would be interested to know more about what she considers "properly kept on a chain". I also wonder if the hounds she raises go hunting and if they cross others' land, intentionally or otherwise. After all, that is my private property and dogs should no more be allowed on my property than should the neighbor's cattle be allowed to graze on my front lawn. I'm sure she loves her animals and I commend her that they are well cared for. However, I would have to say that most dogs that I have seen chained are obviously not as she says, loved and provided shelter, food, clean water, and well-provided for. The Animal Services Advisory Board liason to the county board is in that position to make certain that running hunting dogs is here to stay, giving hunters more rights than property owners. It's his agenda, so I doubt Moore county will do anything to regulate dogs being chained because that's the way the good 'ol boys like it.