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P.O. Box 1015 Waldorf, MD 20604-1015
Phone: 301 645-8181

12 FEB 2000, From the American Humane Association
Chained!
A family gets a healthy, playful puppy. The children and parents dote over the pup. For the first few months of his life, he is the center of attention.

But soon the puppy grows into a large, active dog. The children lose interest, and the parents can't be bothered. The dog ends up on a four foot chain in the backyard.

The dog is fed table scraps when anyone remembers. In summer, no one thinks to give him water. In bad weather, he has no adequate shelter. Sometimes, he's left for days with nothing to eat.

The dog is never walked, never exercised. Eventually, he's never even noticed. Alone, day after day, the dog becomes bored and frustrated. He barks, and the neighbors complain. Passing children tease and annoy him. Because he has nothing to do, he becomes listless...and then aggressive. Finally, he has to be destroyed.

And the next day, the children start begging for a puppy.

This kind of pet ownership is cruel and irresponsible. Unfortunately, it happens all too often. Make your pet a part of your family - for everyone's sake. Don't neglect them.

If you feel there is an animal in your Charles County neighborhood that is being mistreated or kept in a manner in violation of animal care laws, please call us and we will try to do something about it.
Charles County Animal Control: (301) 932-1713
Humane Society of Charles County: (301) 645-8181 after 11 AM