While some lucky animal companions are treated as members of the
family (as they should be!), many others experience nothing but
suffering, abuse, and sadness. Some forms of abuse and neglect
of animals are illegal, but in many states, animals have no
legal protection from "standard" practices such as being chained
to a post all day and night; having their toes, ears, or tails
cut off for human convenience or preference; or being forced to
wear collars that deliver painful shocks in response to
perfectly normal behavior such as barking. Chaining dogs, while
unfortunately legal in most areas, is one of the cruelest
punishments imaginable for social animals who need and deserve
companionship, exercise, and mental stimulation. It can also
turn dogs into ticking time bombs: Many people, especially
children, have been bitten, mauled, or killed by chained dogs.
Similarly, keeping dogs in crates or cages prevents them from
satisfying all their needs and is just a way for guardians to
ignore and warehouse their dogs