The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SPCA) has launched a provincewide education campaign to raise awareness about the plight of chained, backyard dogs.
"Every year SPCA animal protection officers respond to hundreds of calls about dogs who are chained or tethered in backyards," says Lorie Chortyk, general manager of community relations for the BC SPCA.
"It's devastating for these animals because they are social, pack animals and they suffer a wide range of maladaptive behaviours when they are isolated from humans and other animals." She notes that dogs who are continuously tethered and deprived of socialization often exhibit signs of anxiety, fear, frustration, boredom and depression. "Chained dogs may also become aggressive because they have a strong 'fight or flight' response and they have no way of retreating from people or other animals who come into their territory."
The BC SPCA is a non-profit organization funded primarily by public donations. Our mission is to prevent cruelty and to promote the welfare of animals through a wide range of services, including cruelty investigations, emergency rescue and treatment, sheltering and adoption of homeless and abused animals, humane education, advocacy, farm animal welfare, spay/neuter programs, and wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.
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