Forest Glen Middle Students Plead ‘Stop The 24-7 Chaining Of Dogs’

Published May 15th, 2008

By Nicol Jenkins
Editor

“Break the chain,” chanted hundreds of middle school students.

Forest Glen Middle School students in the Save What’s Left Club pleaded to stop the 24-7 chaining of dogs at a recent Coral Springs City Commission meeting.

“I’m going to speak for the ones that don’t have a voice,” said student Oliver England referring to chained dogs.

England and other students in the Club requested that the city of Coral Springs adopt an ordinance to prohibit the 24-7 chaining of dogs.

Chaining or tethering refers to the practice of tying a dog to a stationary object as a means of keeping the animal confined.

This does not refer to periods when animals are being walked on a leash.

“We want the Coral Springs City Commission to make an ordinance so people are no longer allowed to chain dogs 24 hours a day in the heat,” said Lisa DosSantos, Save What’s Left Club Coordinator and social studies teacher at Forest Glen Middle School. “Kids are being killed by dogs that are chained their entire lives.”

Daniel Idzinga from the Broward County Humane Society also spoke on behalf of stopping the chaining. The Humane Society has the national Break The Chain campaign, which has the goal of banning 24/7 dog tethering.

An animal that is confined or tethered is more likely to cause injury or harm to others, according to Idzinga.

“Chaining of dogs can lead to aggressive behavior. More cities are adopting ordinances to prohibit the 24-7 chaining of dogs,” said Idzinga.

Among those nearby cities that have adopted ordinances against 24-7 dog chaining are Parkland, Coconut Creek and Deerfield Beach.

However, Coral Springs City Commissioners said they must have further discussion before ruling on the issue.

“What is the purpose? I don’t see how it’s a problem in the city. I don’t see anyone chaining dogs in the city,” said Commissioner Ted Mena.

Coral Springs Mayor Scott Brook added, “I’m going to ask to consider this ordinance and place it on the agenda for a future meeting. It sounds like something to consider, but the city attorney hasn’t had a chance to look at it yet.”

After the meeting, DosSantos said she was “elated” with the outcome.

“I feel even better that the children see that their voices were heard and also I feel great for the dogs,” she said, adding, “I will follow up with the Commission.”

Students Emily Persico, Taylor Cornelius, and Sofia Castillo said they learned much from the experience.

“I learned a lot of stuff that I didn’t know before. I found out that children can actually die from dogs being chained,” said Castillo.

Cornelius added, “It’s important to pass this law because you can save a lot of lives.”

The Coral Springs City Commission will meet at a later time to consider the ordinance.