Dear Mayor and Council,

I implore you to keep your promise to support the humane treatment of companion animals. I have looked at the well documented cases of dogs either in yards or on chains by Animal Advocates. It is appalling the conditions some of these dogs are left in. Worse, when some of these poor dogs die on a chain, these owners get more dogs to live this life of total isolation. How could this possibly legal in our society, in the city of Vancouver? I am ashamed that our city allows this to go on.

Beside my house, lives a dog who is in a backyard 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There is very minimal contact with his owners. Many neighbours have asked these people to take the dog inside, or find another suitable home for the dog if this is not possible. These people have told us, 'they love the companionship the dog provides.' This is total nonsense! We have called the SPCA and the pound to no avail. It is extremely difficult to sit outside in our yards in the summer time and listen to this poor dog howl and cry out of lonliness. And yet, this has gone on for five years.

PLEASE ban the chaining of dogs. Please ban isolating dogs in yards, porches, or garages. There are way too many irresponsible people out there who need these bylaws in place.
Thank you for your time,

Lori and Cameron Drysdale
Vancouver, BC