The Dangers of a Tethered Dog

This week in Rusk County, a two-year-old Texas child was mauled to death by his grandfather’s pit bull while playing in his grandparents’ yard.

While the child’s grandfather might have thought that he was protecting his grandchild from the dangerous dog by tethering the animal to a tree, this was tragically not the case. In fact, a chained or tethered dog can be more even more dangerous than a dog that is running free or that has escaped from its yard.
First and foremost, it is important to know that a chained or tethered dog can feel helpless and cornered. That is, a tethered dog could feel like it is in a position of danger itself, causing it to act out more aggressively when approached.
Secondly, unlike a fenced dog, a small child can approach a tethered dog and unknowingly put itself in a dangerous position. Young children may assume that all dogs are as friendly as their own pet, and a tethered dog in a front yard may seem like a new friend that is hard not to approach and pet.
Finally tethered dogs are often not trained and socialized like dogs that are fenced. Unfortunately, far too many dog owners in Texas leave their animals tethered outside for long stretches of time, during inclement weather, or without food or shelter. These emotionally neglected and physically abused dogs are all the more likely to attack anyone that approaches them.
If you have a dog that is tethered, seriously consider fencing the dog or giving the dog a new home – your tethered dog could result in a dog bite lawsuit down the road. If you or a loved one have been injured by a tethered dog, speak with Rasansky Law Firm today.