TOO many dogs are being locked up for months in Albury backyards, prompting an RSPCA inspector to warn owners they face jail and hefty fines for not giving their dogs regular exercise.
RSPCA Albury inspector Lionel Smith said every day he saw dogs that have gone “chain crazy” after being locked up for months at a time.
“Every day I see dogs that probably haven’t been off the chain for a week, three weeks, a month, even 12 months some of them,” he said.
“It&rsquo ;s just heartbreaking, these dogs become chain crazy, they just run back and forwards.
“It’s like someone in jail. They just lose the plot to some degree.
“There’s nothing else in life for them but to run back and forwards.
“They methodically abuse their legs, their feet, they step in the same spot every time.”
Mr Smith said what many owners did not realise, keeping dogs chained up for long periods was a punishable offence.
Under the animal cruelty act, dog owners face up to six months’ jail and a $6000 fine for not exercising their dogs regularly.
“It’s expected that you release your dog for exercise at least once every 24 hours,” Mr Smith said.
“Of course that depends on the type of dog, one dog might need two hours off the chain, another dog might only need five minutes but it is an offence not to exercise your dog regularly.”
Mr Smith said dog owners could learn a lot from Albury teenager Dale Goldsmith.
The 13-year-old is confined to a wheelchair but still takes his Jack Russell-beagle cross Flossy for a walk most nights.
“If he can exercise his dog, why can’t other people do it,” Mr Smith said
“Every afternoon he’s out there in his wheelchair, I see him time and time again.”
Dale lost the lower half of his right leg in an accident almost three years ago.
He takes Flossy from his East Street home past the Homemaker centre on Borella Road and is gone for up to two hours.
“He just comes in and says ‘I’m taking the dog for a walk’ and doesn’t come back for an hour-and-a-half or two hours, it’s just incredible,” his father Bill said.
“He takes her all the way out to Harvey Norman sometimes.”
Anyone who has concerns for the welfare of a dog or would like more information on the animal cruelty act, phone Mr Smith on 0429 001 689.
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