Unchained One Step Forward-Two Steps Back?

by Linda Terrell

Advocating for change in animal protection laws sometimes seems like going one step forward and two steps back. It began in 2015, when my daughter Brooke, driving to and from her mother-in-law’s home in Casper, noticed two dogs who seemed to be tethered 24/7 in deplorable conditions. I drove by myself as did other friends. We all began calling local animal control officials and were told there was nothing they could do. The ordinance at that time stated a dog could be chained for up to 10 hours in a day and according to animal control there was no way realistically to enforce it. After considerable discussions we were finally told that the only thing we could do was work to change the laws.

So that's what we set out to do. We did a vast amount of research on dog chaining and tethering ordinances in Wyoming and across the country, trying to determine the best options for our community. It took us probably a year to put everything together and to finally present it to the Casper City Council. The ordinance we proposed brought the time down to two hours. It passed after the three readings. We were thrilled.

Then we found out in early 2020 that the animal control officials had submitted a request to the city to reinstate the ordinance back to 10 hours! Thus began the work to try and stop this from happening.

National organizations like Alley Cat Allies and K9 Unchained caught wind of this and became involved. People came forward at the council meetings and in emails and other forms of communication against tethering for 10 hours. No one came forth in favor of returning to 10 hours. None the less, the council passed the 10-hour tethering ordinance. This was a sad day for Casper and Natrona County – and especially the dogs spending their entire lives on a chain or rope.

We won't quit fighting for better animal welfare ordinances in Casper, and hope to eventually pursue a “No Unattended Tethering” ordinance.

Linda Terrell resides in Casper, Wyoming. Growing up on a dairy farm and living on a ranch, she has been around animals all her life. Linda volunteers with animal protection organizations and works with Casper Community TNR as well as the Casper Humane Society. Linda’s believes that all animals deserve humane treatment and works towards that goal.