National animal welfare organization congratulates Nevada on new anti-tethering law

CARSON CITY - Today Nevada joins the list of states that have enacted limitations on put regulations on how and when dogs are tied to a rope, chain or cable (tethering) as well as limitations on confining dogs to small pens.

Best Friends, a national animal welfare organization known for it work at the grassroots level with rescue groups and shelters, sent an expert to testify before the Nevada Legislature in support of Senate Bill 132. The bill was originally introduced by Nevada State Senator Randolph Townsend. Break the Chain of Nevada and the Animal Law Coalition helped draft the bill.

Dr. Frank McMillan, DVM, Dipl ACVIM, an expert in the mental health and emotional well-being of animals, and director of Well Being Studies for Best Friends, testified that the emotional suffering of isolating dogs on chains and in pens is as cruel as any physical abuse a dog could endure.

Ledy VanKavage, Best Friends legislative analyst pointed to statistics from the National Canine Research Council that 25 percent of fatal dog attacks were from chained dogs and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which show chained dogs are five times more likely to bite children and three times more likely to bite adults.

"We are thrilled that the state of Nevada and Gov. Jim Gibbons are taking a progressive, proactive step to effectively protect its communities safely and humanely by cracking down on one of the major causes of dangerous dog behavior, and giving law enforcement another tool to crack down on cruelty," VanKavage said.

###CONTACTS:

Barbara Williamson (435) 689-0200 (cell) (or) barbara@bestfriends.org
John Polis (435) 644-2001, ext. 4858 or johnp@bestfriends.org

About Best Friends Animal Society:

Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2009, Best Friends Animal Society advances animal welfare initiatives by working with shelter and rescue groups around the country with the mission of achieving No More Homeless Pets®. The society operates the nation's largest facility for abused, abandoned and special needs companion animals, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, which is located in southwestern Utah. On any given day the sanctuary is home to approximately 1,700 dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, birds, and other animals. The society publishes Best Friends magazine, the nations largest general interest, pet-related magazine. For more information on Best Friends Animal Society, visit: www.bestfriends.org/.