Bob Barker Calls on Rep. Ron Marsico to Take Action on Pennsylvania State Law Against Chaining Dogs

Television and Animal-Protection Icon Joins PETA’s Members and Supporters in Pennsylvania in Stressing Need to Protect Dogs and Communities

For Immediate Release:
March 23, 2016

Contact:
Moira Colley 202-483-7382

Pennsylvania’s ban on continuously chaining dogs has passed the state Senate—but it can’t move forward until the chair of the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Ron Marsico (R-Dauphin), facilitates formal discussion of the bill. That’s why this morning, television icon and lifelong Republican Bob Barker sent Rep. Marsico a letter on PETA’s behalf stressing the urgent need for the tethering ban.

“Studies show that continuous chaining makes dogs more likely to attack, sometimes fatally. Tragically, the victims are often children,” writes Barker. “In response to these humane and public-safety concerns, nearly 20 states have passed tethering laws. It’s time for Pennsylvania to follow suit and protect the most vulnerable among us: our companion animals and our children.”

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—notes that dogs who are chained outdoors are forced to endure all weather extremes, and these highly social pack animals spend their entire lives alone, eating, sleeping, and eliminating in the same few square feet of space. A study co-authored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that chained dogs are nearly three times as likely to attack as dogs who are not tethered.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.

Bob Barker’s letter to Ron Marsico follows.

The Honorable Ron Marsico
Judiciary Committee Chair
Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Dear Mr. Marsico,

I am writing to urge you to facilitate formal discussion of Senate Bill (S.B.) 373 in the House Judiciary Committee, which would provide reasonable protection against the dangers of chaining dogs 24/7.

Continuous unattended dog tethering (currently permitted under Pennsylvania state law) is a danger to the entire community, dogs and people alike. Chained dogs are totally vulnerable to attack by other animals and cruel people. They are forced to endure all weather and temperature extremes, and many sustain accidental injuries. Some even strangle at the end of their own tether. These highly social pack animals also suffer psychologically in 24/7 isolation. Studies show that continuous chaining makes dogs more likely to attack, sometimes fatally. Tragically, the victims are often children.

In response to these humane and public-safety concerns, nearly 20 states have passed tethering laws. It’s time for Pennsylvania to follow suit and protect the most vulnerable among us: our companion animals and our children.

As a champion of public safety in Pennsylvania, please facilitate timely discussion of S.B. 373 in the House Judiciary Committee. Lives depend on it.

Respectfully,

Bob Barker