Will Monroe County Prosecute this Cruel Tethering?
Last week in Monroe County, Tennessee a dog literally chewed off its back leg to try to escape its tether. A neighbor noticed Panda, a 97 pound pure bred St. Bernard, was tied up and tangled in the cord. The next day the neighbor noticed a serious wound on the dog.
It turned out the wound was a result of the dog chewing his leg off. Animal cruelty investigators said the dog chewed off its leg to escape the tether. They found Panda with no food or water. She was in terrible pain.
Charges of animal cruelty are pending against the owner who did surrender the dog.
Panda requires at least 2 months of rehabilitation. She must also maintain a weight of about 100 pounds, about 10-20 pounds less than the average female St. Bernard. Too much weight would put pressure on her remaining back leg and hips.
Panda's medical bills total almost $1,000 and counting. If you can help this shelter with these bills, please send donations to: The Monroe County Animal Shelter, Panda Fund, 170 Kefauver Lane, Madisonville, TN 37354.
Last year Tennessee passed a law banning tethering. Tennessee Code Section 39-14-202, was amended to make it illegal to "knowingly tie[], tether[], or restrain[] a dog in a manner that results in the dog suffering bodily injury". "Bodily injury" includes a cut, abrasion, bruise, burn or disfigurement, and physical pain or temporary illness or impairment of the function of a bodily member, organ, or mental faculty; Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-11-106.
It's hard to imagine a more egregious violation of the new law.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Write, fax or call Monroe County officials and urge them to prosecute this tethering, the cruelty to the fullest extent of the law.
County Mayor
J. Allan Watson
105 College Street, Suite 1; Madisonville, TN 37354
Phone (423) 442-398; Fax (423) 442-7279
District Attorney General
Steve Bebb
P.O. Box 1351
Cleveland, TN 37364
Phone (423) 744-2830
Fax (423) 479-4434
For more on the dangers and cruelty of tethering or chaining dogs, click here.