VMVT invites to a discussion: why do we bind man’s best friend with chains?

April 24th is Dog Day. According to VMVT specialists, commemorating such an occasion attracts attention and encourages a change in attitude towards pets and their treatment. In the past, the dog was perceived as a “living alarm” that must protect the property from strangers. Such methods are not only outdated, but also far out of line with modern humane values. If you need an alarm to notify passers-by, these days there are special devices available in supermarkets. The animal should not perform a video camera or any other property protection function.

VMVT inspectors applied the amendment to the Animal Welfare and Protection Law of the Republic of Lithuania last year. 19 persons have applied bans on keeping animals, and 17 of them have bans on keeping dogs. VMVT inspectors who work with extremely painful cases related to the conditions of keeping dogs, usually identify the lack of basic knowledge about the animal’s needs and bad behavior from the environment as a problem due to improper care of animals.

VMVT records that there are still cases in Lithuania, when mostly dogs, the famously titled best friends of man, are kept at the house, tied with chains that are difficult to lift, and sometimes especially short. A dog kept in this way usually does not have the opportunity to hide from the heat of the sun, bad weather conditions. Some owners do not even provide collars for their pets. The cold metal chains rub the neck and even grow into the skin. in 2023 The State Food and Veterinary Service and its territorial units received 1364 messages (complaint) on possible animal welfare and health violations, of which the majority of reports were for animal welfare and health violations, totaling 994 reports. 26% of them were confirmed. If you compare it with 2022, the numbers remain very similar. The reports mostly complained about poorly cared for, abused, abandoned animals, as well as about not providing veterinary assistance to animals when it is necessary.

“The total number of reports has remained the same for several years, which perfectly illustrates that society is not indifferent to abused animals, which gives hope that in time, the purchase of a pet will no longer be associated with a chain, home or property protection. A dog must be perceived as a sensory being that feels pain, hunger, cold, and needs constant communication and care. A dog is a social animal and needs human attention. Caring for a dog can require a lot of expenses: annual visit to the vet, marking, vaccinations, diseases, injuries, quality food – all this must be evaluated before making a decision to purchase a pet,” emphasized Gintarė Mockevičienė, head of the Animal Welfare Department of the Ministry of Animal Welfare.

VMVT prepared the social one last year video clip, whose main message is not to chain your pet. Animal welfare specialists call for more active discussion, active participation in events and together help spread the message: “Reach out your hand, not a chain”! To talk about an animal as a sentient being that feels pain, hunger, cold – in order to spread the message as widely as possible and reach those who lack knowledge or understanding.

Press release