Last night’s episode of 101 Ways to Leave a Game Show featured a mastiff/pit bull mix named Twinkie, chained and primed to attack contestants with wrong answers. (Click the second segment in the linked episode to see this part of the show.)
Dogs are pack animals. Like us, they are social creatures who need companionship. Chaining of any dog creates anti-social, aggressive behavior.(1) Furthermore, chained dogs are often abused and neglected.(2) There is nothing to recommend chaining, and to portray a chained dog in this manner is irresponsible programming. If you agree, please let ABC know by contacting them at http://abc.go.com/site/contact-us.
(1) Gershman K.A., Sacks J.J., Wright J.C. (2009). Which dogs bite? A case-control study of risk factors. Pediatrics, 4.93, 913–917. http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/duip/dog3.pdf
New Mexico Department of Public Safety. (2008). The public safety and human implications of persistently tethering domestic dogs. Report to the Consumer and Public Affairs Committee. http://www.apnm.org/campaigns/chaining/Final_DPS_Tethering_Study.pdf
(2) The Humane Society of the United States . (2009). The facts about chaining and tethering. http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/chaining_tethering/facts/chaining_tethering_facts.html
Other sources:
Dr. Michael W. Fox: Concerning the Outdoor Chaining/Tethering of Dogs