California Governor Signs Anti-Chaining Bill (SB 1578)

SACRAMENTO (Sept. 27, 2006) - The California Animal Association (CAA) and Senator Alan Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) today praised Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for signing SB 1578, an historic animal protection measure that bans the long-term chaining of dogs in the state. SB 1578, the Anti-Chaining Bill, was authored by Senator Alan Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) and sponsored by CAA, a coalition of 15 national, state and local animal protection groups.
 
I congratulate the governor for signing into law this precedent-setting animal protection and public safety measure, said Lowenthal. This law has the power to reduce the number of dog attacks in our communities since chained dogs are nearly three times more likely to bite than unchained dogs.
 
With the enactment of SB 1578, California becomes the second state to address dog chaining at the state level. Connecticut passed a law in 2003 which banned dog chaining for an unreasonable period of time. SB 1578 limits dog chaining in California to three hours. The bill permits dog owners to use a pulley or trolley system, and to tether dogs at parks and recreation areas, during activities licensed by the state that involve the use of a dog, and during agricultural operations for safety reasons.
 
We applaud the governor for taking a stand against the outdated practice of keeping dogs on chains, said Pam Runquist, a CAA representative. Thirty five years ago, Californians enacted legislation requiring that dogs be provided with adequate food, water and shelter. Today, the majority of Californians recognize that we need to go a step further and ban long-term chaining as unsafe and inhumane for our canine companions.
 
SB 1578 was introduced with strong support from the California Animal Control Directors Association. A survey of California animal control agencies throughout the state found that citizens make hundreds of calls every month with some agencies receiving dozens of calls weekly with concerns about dogs who are chained long-term. Under current law, animal control officers cannot step in to save these animals unless there are other obvious signs of neglect, such as lack of food, water or shelter.
 
SB 1578 also addresses the growing public safety concern in California communities regarding dog bites and dog attacks. Research has shown that chained dogs are more likely to become territorial and aggressive and nearly three times as likely to bite as unchained dogs. More than 50 children have been attacked or killed by chained dogs within the last two years in the United States.
 
The California Animal Association is a coalition of 15 animal protection groups representing the interests of animals at the state Capitol. AVAR is a founding member.

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***** About SB 1578 *****
Senator Alan Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) introduced SB 1578 to reduce the number of dog bites and dog attacks in California. Research has shown that chained dogs are 2.8 times more likely to bite than unchained dogs because they feel the strong need to protect their territory and have no way to flee from threats.

SB 1578 would also help protect hundreds, if not thousands, of dogs who lead lives of misery at the end of backyard chains. Under current state law, animal control officers cannot cite citizens for chaining unless they find other signs of neglect, such as lack of food and water. Often, by that time, it is too late to save the dog.

The Anti-Chaining Bill is sponsored by the California Animal Association, of which AVAR is a founding member.

Read the bill text here:
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov