No walks? No play? No way to treat a dog
Cariboo Observer
Aug 31 2005

If you think that tethering your dog or leaving him alone in your yard for long periods of time is acceptable, humane treatment, the B.C. SPCA urges you to think again.
Like all animals, dogs react to perceived threats with a flight or fight response.
If flight is not a possibility, they will have little choice but to resort to aggression to ward off threats.
If poorly-socialized dogs escape from their tethers, they can be a potential threat to humans and other animals.
Tethering a dog outside for extended periods without supervision can also place the dog in serious physical danger.
A confined or tethered dog is unable to escape harsh weather, attack by other animals, accidental strangulations, and theft or abuse by humans.
Thousands of dogs suffer and die in these ways each year.
If you own a dog - or are thinking of getting one - the BC SPCA strongly recommends they be kept indoors at night, taken on regular walks and provided with adequate attention, food, water and veterinary care.
If a dog must be housed outside, he or she should be given suitable protection, enrichment, and shelter from the elements.
“Lack of proper socialization can have devastating consequences and we urge people to get a dog for the right reasons - to be part of the family,” said local Quesnel SPCA manager Barb Onciul.
She went on to say that if you do have a dog and would like an opportunity to have it participate in a day of fun, consider coming on their annual walkathon on Sept. 11.
The Paws for a Cause Walkathon will take place in LeBourdais Park form 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“There will be a lot of great fun events for your dog to participate in including Best Trick, Greedy Biscuit relay race, Roll Over contest and much more,” she said.
For more information call 992-7722.