This is Tamira Ci Thayne founder and CEO of Dogs Deserve Better. A woman driven to help the chained dogs of PA. She has worked relentlessly to change the law concerning tethered dogs for six years. Unfortunately, nothing has changed.
Tami, as she prefers to be called, was a guest on my tv show last year talking about this bill. We also were on the radio together to help raise awareness for dogs who are chained to dog houses 24/7, living in all of the weather elements. I am a strong proponent for this piece of legislation.
As Tami stated, it took a long time (approximately 28 years to get the new dog law, Act 119 to pass to help dogs and puppies in puppymills…oops, I mean.. commercial breeding facilities) to get action for puppymills and she knew a law for tethered dogs would take a back seat to that. Even though that Act 119 was passed in 2008, here we are nearly two years later and the legislators are still doing nothing to help get anti-tethering legislation passed.
Tami had told me that it looked promising that this would be the year that legislators would take the anti-tethering issue seriously.
It was supposed to have happened in the Spring. Nothing materialized.
Taken from Tami’s website:
“But, I can’t get away from the nagging thought that they’ve still got nothing. We’ve waited six years for a law for them. Through HB1911, HB1065, HB1254, the Casorio/Caltigirone bill we were promised but never materialized this March, and now SB1435. It’s been exhausting! ”
Now, Tami has taken matters into her own hands- not that she hasn’t before. Tami is one tough, fearless advocate for tethered dogs!
Tami wants this bill to get the attention it deserves. If you find yourself in Harrisburg, PA……..stop by the Capitol and you will find her on the steps chained to a dog house (as shown in the picture). All to not only get this legislation passed but to raise awareness of the plight of tethered dogs and the children who are bitten by dogs as a direct result of those who are tethered to a dog house.
She has garnered alot of attention from people in the area and the media.
The following is from Tami herself:
Thayne’s Open Letter to PA State Legislators: Knock, knock. I’m here for the law for the chained dogs? You’ve probably just been busy. I know how that goes, I’ve been busy too. But thing is, here we are almost at the end of another legislative session, and the dogs still have no law to protect them. It’s not right. So I’ve come to remind you. I’m here for their law. I intend to stay awhile, and I’m hoping that, together, we can get this thing done. Time is short, and they’ve suffered enough. Yeah, I know I should be doing other things. A million other things, like having a life, working on other Dogs Deserve Better campaigns. Rescuing chained dogs, one at a time, from those few who see the light or want a convenient place to dump their garbage. Even spending time with my family would be nice. Dinner for Schmucks just came out this week—it looks really funny—and the Carmike near my house has $1.00 sodas on Tuesday. But, I can’t get away from the nagging thought that they’ve still got nothing. We’ve waited six years for a law for them. Through HB1911, HB1065, HB1254, the Casorio/Caltigirone bill we were promised but never materialized this March, and now SB1435. It’s been exhausting! And yet, here we are still without a tool to help them, and they are still suffering. Many waited their entire lives for help that never came, and have now turned to dust, having never known a kind word or the kiss of love. Maybe it doesn’t matter to you, but it matters to me, it matters to the majority of Pennsylvania dog lovers, and most importantly, it matters to them. Have I mentioned yet how the chained dogs are suffering? As they suffer, I have decided to bring their suffering to you, because maybe you just have been too busy to notice. I’m sure if you did notice it, did comprehend the pain of living as they live day in and day out, you’d have taken the necessary action to end it by now. As they remain shackled to one grassless spot 24 hours each day, I will stay chained in front of OUR Capitol (Yes, I believe the Capitol belongs to me too) for ten hours Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. As they go without food and water, so will I fast each week from Monday through Friday. And as they are subjected to the elements, so will I be drenched when it rains, wilt in the summer heat, and shiver in the cold of approaching winter. So that you may begin to really UNDERSTAND their suffering, I am bringing it to you. Let’s get this thing done. I’m here for their law. —Tamira Ci Thayne, founder and CEO, Dogs Deserve Better
As Tami stated, she will be there Monday – Friday on the Capitol steps. Let’s help her win this fight she has fought for six long years. Let’s get SB 1435 passed. All of us together can make a difference.
Don’t know who your legislators are, click here and take action!