4 facts about chained dogs

If you or someone you know leaves a dog tethered or chained for extended periods of time, you should know that:

It's unkind.

Dogs are social, pack animals. They want nothing more than to be part of a family. Chaining causes intense loneliness and boredom for them. Continuous chaining is like being sentenced to life imprisonment - with no chance for parole.

It can be dangerous.

Numerous studies show that a chained dog is up to three times more likely to bite. Dog attacks have become a serious problem in Indy.

It is now illegal in Indianapolis.

Since January 1, 2007, a city ordinance has declared it unlawful to chain or tether a dog between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., or to chain or tether an un-sterilized dog. Please see Article IV. Care and Treatment; Sec. 531-401.

Owners have better options.

At FIDO, our motto is "Unchain - but contain." We understand that most owners want to do what's right for their families, their dogs, and their neighborhood. FIDO can help owners bring their dogs inside and make them part of their family. We offer advice on housetraining and behavior modification. We also can arrange for free spaying or neutering (which results in a better-behaved pet). FIDO also can show dog owners how to contain and enjoy their dogs outside without continuous chaining. A yard with a sturdy fence and a cozy doghouse is so much better than constant chaining! So is regular playtime and exercise. Even an overhead trolley line is better than constant chaining.

About Us

We support concerned dog owners

We offer guidance and temporary assistance to owners who are willing to work alongside us to improve their dogs’ quality of life. We can show dog owners how to contain and enjoy their dogs without continuous chaining. We can help owners make their dogs part of the family. For dog owners in financial crisis, we may be able to offer fencing panels, fencing repairs, training crates, dog houses, warm bedding, collars and leashes, and more. We also can arrange for free spay-neutering and on-site microchipping of all dogs we serve.

We partner with Animal Care and Control

Although FIDO has no law-enforcement authority, we work closely with Indianapolis Animal Care and Control (ACC), the government agency responsible for enforcement of animal laws and ordinances in the city. Through this partnership, animal control officers refer dog owners to FIDO who have been found to be in violation of local care and treatment ordinances or leash laws. We often can help these citizens with guidance on the humane containment of dogs as well as with supplies. Officers also refer owners to FIDO who may not be in violation of any animal laws but who may need assistance to improve the care they provide for their dog.

In turn, FIDO sometimes refers cases to ACC where the agency may need to intervene to ensure that a minimum level of care is provided for neglected dogs. We also contact ACC when we come across animals that appear to be abandoned or abused.

We partner with others who care

FIDO cooperates with many other local nonprofit animal-welfare groups to improve the quality of life for dogs, to help provide spay/neuter services to the neediest dog owners, and to find new homes for adoptable dogs that have been abandoned or neglected. Some of the groups we work with include Indy Pit Crew, Spay-Neuter Services of Indiana, The Humane Society of Indianapolis, Keystone Pet Hospital, The FACE Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic, The Alliance for Responsible Pet Ownership, IndyFeral and Casa Del Toro.