[darci]

California will become the first state to strictly ban long-term chaining of dogs when a new law goes into effect Monday. SB1578, authored by Sen. Alan Lowenthal, D-Long Beach, prohibits tethering, fastening, chaining or tying a dog to a stationary object for longer than three hours.

The bill, signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in September, was sponsored by the CA Animal
Association, a coalition of 15 national, state and local animal protection groups.

"This is a precedent-setting animal protection and public safety measure," said Pam Runquist, a CAA representative and director of companion animal issues for the Davis based Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights. "This law has the power to protect dogs throughout the state from enduring boredom, misery, injury and even death at the end of a chain. It also has the potential to significantly reduce the number of dog attacks in CA communities since chained dogs are three times more likely to bite than unchained dogs."

In a news release, Runquist noted that the bill received support from the CA Animal Control Directors Association. A survey of animal control agencies found that citizens make hundreds of calls every month about dogs that are chained long-term.

SB1578 allows persons to tether their dogs during temporary tasks, up to a three-hour time limit. The law allows for longer tethering of dogs at parks and recreation areas, during activities licensed by the state that involve the use of a dog, and during agricultural operations for safety reasons. The use of a pulley or trolley system also is allowed.

The new law provides for penalties of up to $1,000 and six months in jail. However, animal control officers can issue a correction warning if the health and safety of the dog is not at stake. Under current law, animal control officers cannot step in to save these animals unless there are other obvious signs of neglect, such as lack of food, water or shelter.