Group Works Toward Saving Dogs
www.gazette.net
June 23, 2005, Mount Airy, Maryland -- A Mount Airy dog that died last week has prompted investigations and allegations from neighbors and Dogs Deserve Better, as well as possible harassment charges and defamation of character lawsuits filed by the pet's owner.
A neighbor found the dog dead June 13 and called the Frederick County Animal Control Division. Other neighbors got in touch with Lynn Gillis, of Southern Maryland, a volunteer and advocate for Dogs Deserve Better. Gillis is a representative for the national non-profit that discourages tethered dogs, those who spend their entire lives on a chain.
Harold Domer, director of the Frederick County Animal Control Division, said Wednesday Robert Uttermohlen investigated the incident after learning about the dog's death June 13. Domer said that since the dog was dead, Animal Control did not go to the house and the investigation is now complete.
Jennifer Helfin, the dog owner, said Wednesday she was filing harassment and defamation of character lawsuits against her neighbors for getting involved in what she said is none of their business.
When Gillis heard about the dog's death, she was outraged. The dog had gotten tangled up in its chain four times around, cutting off the circulation to its feet, Gillis said, adding that that dog didn't have adequate water or shade to keep cool in the humid heat. A hole in the fence was also found, Gillis said, surmising that the dog might have been trying to avoid the heat by finding shade near the fence.
A veterinarian at Country Veterinarian told Gillis that the dog had died from a heat stroke, but a phone call to the vet was not able to confirm that. The partner of the veterinarian who responded to the dog told The Gazette no post mortem exam had been done, because the dog was dead on arrival. "We did what the owners wished," said the veterinarian, who also did not want to be named, said. That wish was for the animal to be cremated.
Helfin confirmed that was her family's wish, but added that neighbors had been interfering with those wishes.
Neighbors have said this isn't the first time the dog owner has tied up one of her animals 24/7. One neighbor, who asked not to be named, said another dog died in a similar situation by the same owner.
But Helfin denied those allegations. "No, he died of old age, he was 16 years old," she said.
Helfin said that while her dogs are outside animals, they do go inside the house on occasion. "They are very well taken care of," Helfin said, adding that the dog who just died had returned from the groomer just days before. When the dogs are in the house, they have a crate in the basement, or will sleep on the couch, Helfin said.
"I was so upset when I learned about this," Helfin said, but she did not return home. Instead, she took care of "what I as a pet owner had to do" from out of town.
"It was an unfortunate accident," Helfin said, adding that she was told by the veterinarian the dog died from a heart attack.
The veterinarian who responded to the incident was not available for comment Wednesday.
Neighbors said they tried to help the dog, encouraging the owner to bring the animal inside during extreme weather temperatures, but neighbors said the owner refused to allow the pet inside, claiming it was used to heat or the cold. One neighbor, who asked not to be named, said the dog would often have icicles clinging to its fur in the winter time, and neighbors would beg the owner to have some kindness for the pet, but the owner did not let the animal inside for weather relief.
Helfin denied those allegations. In fact, she said a neighbor has a key to her house and could have brought the dog inside if weather conditions were too extreme.
Helfin said she's filing a lawsuit against the neighbors, as well as harassment charges, for sending letters to her and calling her. "This is none of their business," Helfin said. "This is personal and confidential." She added that she also has "No Trespassing" signs on her property.
Helfin said the reason she tied up the dog in the first place was that the dog kept jumping over the fence.
She said other neighbors, some of which are accusing her, also leave their animals outside, one of which who runs loose.
A representative from Dogs Deserve Better, who asked not to be named for fear of retaliation, had dropped off literature a few months ago at the dog's house hoping to appeal to the owners to change their ways. When the representative heard about the dog's death, the rep was upset and frustrated.
Dogs Deserve Better wants to educate dog owners on the dangers of keeping dogs chained up all their lives. It's all they can do legally.
"There is no ordinance in Frederick County with regards to tethering," said Domer, of Animal Control.
He said Animal Control discourages pet owners from tethering, because the dogs don't learn how to interact with the public and can become territorial, protecting its "turf."
Gillis agreed. She said there are at least eight cases in the United States of young children being killed by stepping too close to a dog on a chain.
Domer said Animal Control does investigate all complaints, but can't legally make a dog owner unchain a pet. Instead, Animal Control offers suggestions and alternatives to tethering a dog, such as using a pulley system that allows slack for the dog to move around.
"If you have to [tether the dog], obviously make sure the object or material tying up the dog cannot become entangled," Domer said. Dog owners should make sure there isn't anything to "prevent the dog from getting to its water, food and shelter."
"It's their responsibility," Domer said of pet owners. "A dog can't understand that it can back up and untwist itself if it becomes entangled." So if a dog must be tethered, Domer said, the owner needs to keep an eye on the animal, make sure the water bowl hasn't been knocked over and is clean.
Animal Control does what it can, but the Maryland Alliance of Dogs Deserve Better wants to do more. Gillis said the state association is meeting in Montgomery County in July to draft potential legislation to offer to the General Assembly, making it illegal to chain a dog for its entire life.
Currently Rockville is the only city in the state with any regulations, Gillis said.
Another representative from Dogs Deserve Better said there are at least 50 communities and counties in at least 26 states that ban or limit chaining and penning of dogs.
Gillis and the state coalition want to add the entire state of Maryland to that list of communities.
"We're not associated with animal control or the police," Gillis said.
"We've just chosen to make it our passion in life, our goal to help the guardianship of dogs and provide help."
Gillis also advocates for pet owners to keep their dogs up-to-date on heartworm medication to avoid getting an infection. A monthly pill is available at area veterinarian offices, Gillis said, just make sure the dog is tested for heartworm first.
Animal Control also urges pet owners to keep animals up-to-date on rabies vaccinations, and veterinarian visits, Domer said. Dog owners also need to be licensed in Frederick County, and the organization encourages owners to spay or neuter their pets.
For more information on Dogs Deserve Better, visit the web-site at www.dogsdeservebetter.org, or www.mdaddb.org.
