HAMPTON - Results of an online survey on tethering animals in Hampton show most people don't think any animal should be chained in a yard but others think the practice is okay for a specific amount of time.
More than 2000 people took the online survey - about half of them live in Hampton, officials said.
The results the city released Monday are only from Hampton residents. 57% of those responding don't believe in chaining dogs. 26% said there should be a 3-hour limit and 11 % were okay with an 8 hour limit. 7% of those who took the survey said the city shouldn't put any limitation on how much time an animal is tethered outside.
City spokeswoman Robin McCormick said PETA approached the city with pictures and information about some dogs being tethered for days and calls the practice inhumane. City officials investigated the claims and pursued charges on some of the cases.
More than 500 people taking the survey left comments. Some were dog owners who said they used tethering for limited times with their dogs; others said they believed longer times were appropriate if there was adequate water, food and shelter. Most people said they believed that chaining was not good for dogs.
The Hampton Animal Control Advisory Board will review the results and other information it gathered and go to Council on February 8 to submit its proposal. There will be a public comment on the proposal at 6:00 p.m.
Norfolk and Virginia Beach have an ordinance that allows owners to chain pets for no longer than three hours a day; Chesapeake does not have a tethering ordinance.
