"Dogs, just like human beings who get locked up for no reason, will get mean and bitter."

-- Dr. Roger Mugford, Vancouver Sun, April 28, 2003
 

Across North America communities are taking action to limit the number of hours a dog can be tied up outside. Municipalities inmore than half of the 50 states in the U.S. now have "chained dog" laws and North Vancouver has recently passed by-laws pertaining to the chaining of dogs. However, New Brunswick dogs do not enjoy this kind of protection. While the provincial SPCA act requires dog owners to provide adequate food, water, shelter and care, nothing in the act protects dogs from being kept outdoors on a chain.

The New Brunswick SPCA is launching a public education and awareness campaign to call attention to the plight of chained dogs across our province. The "Start a Chain Reaction" program is intended to give individuals the information, materials and moral support they need to act on behalf of dogs in their communities. The campaign has been made possible by a grant to the Fredericton SPCA from the McGrand Trust Fund and by private donations. The McGrand Trust Fund gave an additional $1,000 to support the project in 2006.