Letters | 10-2-15

Chained dogs suffer abuse, neglect

As I sit here and ponder the sad state of thousands of dogs on the Big Island that are chained up, tethered on short leashes to doghouses or trees or are kept in filthy cages, I grow more and more angry. With no real loving contact with humans, no exercise, barely enough to eat that ribs show through their skin, filled with heartworms, and used to breed dozens more neglected puppies that sell on offensive websites, for profit, absolutely proves how these dogs are just plain neglected. In a nutshell, this is animal abuse.

This very pack-oriented animal assumes its sole purpose in life is to please the human who owns it. Instead, the chaining, tethering and cage life begins and the dog is forced to watch its people go about their daily lives, just out of reach. And so, the dog barks and barks and barks some more, trying to get attention and cry out “Hey look at me. Here I am. I just want you to love me and pay attention to me.”

Eventually time passes, and the dog languishes, still seeking attention and still receiving little or none.

I walk by and talk with the ones, even in my own neighborhood, and their eyes cry out for the help that never comes. And maybe on a given day, someone walks by and this dog lunges because it cannot remember anymore what a loving hand would be. Bad behavior is the result of this neglect. It is truly heartbreaking on so many levels.

So for all you animal abusers out there, know that those of us who love and cherish our pets, we are watching you. We may not be able to do anything for your mistreated dog right now but with the help of state legislators at their next session, changes are coming. It is my belief that amended animal laws will pass and I, for one, will finally be able to report you for the cruel unhuman thing that you truly are.

Barbara Hussey

Kailua-Kona