As the temperatures rise across Texas, the number of animals who are dying because of extreme heat and lack of adequate shelter is also climbing.

We’re hearing horror stories from McAllen to Abilene to Lubbock. Animals are being left outdoors, on chains, without sufficient shade and water, and they are suffering cruel deaths that could be prevented.

THLN is already preparing to reintroduce a bill in the 2019 legislative session – “the tethering bill” – which aims to improve Texas’ current law for animals living on chains, and we need your help. Your donations and commitment to taking action during the legislative session will be critical to our success.

As so many of you may remember, our legislation includes important language to define the term “adequate shelter,” something the current tethering law lacks. Under a stronger law, law enforcement would be able to act when an animal in distress does not appear to have proper shelter or water.

A few recent Texas cases highlight the need for passage of a stronger tethering bill:

• Rocko, a Houston dog who died of heat stroke in his owner’s yard with no food or water at the end of a four-foot chain
• El Paso dog (name unknown) who died on a chain with no access to food or water
• Molly, a six-month-old German Shepherd in San Antonio who was chained without access to shade and suffered the “equivalent to severe sunburns” resulting in blistered, red skin.

We need a clear, enforceable statewide law that will send a message to all Texans: when you chain up your dog and leave them without shade and water, you’ll be breaking the law.

Until we pass this law, we’re asking all of you to share this message with your friends, families, and networks: make sure if your pets are spending time outdoors this summer that they have access to water, food, and adequate shelter during these hot summer months – and report neighbors who are not doing the same for their pets.