Yesterday the city of Arlington recently posted a statement on its website regarding Blaze, the dog that spends most of his time on the end of a chain in his owners backyard and has been seen wearing a cone for 5 years.
As I wrote earlier this week, despite Blaze’s condition, his owner has technically not violated animal cruelty laws in Arlington in the state of Washington. City of Arlington representative Kristen Banfield explained to Q13 Fox that Arlington law states that animals must have “access to food and water, access to shelter, and room to be able to maneuver around so it doesn’t cause them any injury. And that’s what we have in this case.”
Blaze. Image from Q13 Fox.
Here are some of the highlights from the city’s statement:
- Arlington Police have responded to over 17 emergency (911) calls from local residents regarding Blaze’s condition
- Arlington Police staff have contacted Blaze’s owner to discuss the dog’s condition and treatment
- Arlington Police staff have told Blaze’s owner about offers from staff and the local community to assist with housing, veterinary care and fencing for Blaze.
- Blaze’s owner has declined all these offers of help.
- Blaze’s owner did agree that Blaze needs a “full veterinary checkup” which he/she is in the process of scheduling with a local vet.
- Mayor Barb Tolbert asked her staff staff she wants Arlington “to become a leader in the state on animal treatment laws”.
- Her staff have been researching animal control and treatment laws throughout the country “to bring examples of meaningful changes that the City can support and enforce.”
- Mayor Tolbert has requested information from the Washington Federation of Animal Care and Control Agencies and Pasado’s Safe Haven “on potential changes to Arlington’s current animal treatment and control laws.”
The statement makes it clear once again that, regardless of how many people (including me) think Blaze’s condition is abhorrent and his owner should be charged with animal cruelty, it doesn’t violate either Washington’s or Arlington’s animal cruelty laws.
However, if Blaze’s owner does take him to the vet and the dog is suffering from any untreated medial conditions, he/she could be charged with animal cruelty for not providing medical attention that causes Blaze to suffer unnecessarily or endure unjustifiable physical pain.
I just hope they don’t take Blaze to the vet who allowed him to wear a cone for 5 years instead of treating the underlying condition.
Blaze. Image from Q13 Fox.
One thing I don’t understand is why Blaze’s owner has refused generous offers from the community to provide housing, veterinary care, and fencing for Blaze. If Blaze’s owner was truly concerned about the dog’s condition, why would he/she turn down help from the community?
One of the co-founders of the group Fences for Fido told me they would be happy to build a fence around the yard so Blaze wouldn’t have to be tethered.
Blaze’s owner wouldn’t have to pay a dime for it.
I am heartened that Mayor Tolbert said she wants to toughen Arlington’s animal cruelty laws. Whether or not it happens remains to be seen, but at least she isn’t throwing up her hands and saying she can’t do anything about Blaze’s predicament.
As you may remember, that’s exactly what Forks Mayor Bryon Monohon did when confronted with the overwhelming evidence of animal cruelty at the Olympic Animal “Sanctuary”.”
The next step in this process will occur this Monday, September 14 when the Mayor’s staff will present the information they have collected about animal cruelty laws at a workshop for the Arlington City Council. The workshop begins at 7PM in the Arlington City Council Chambers, 110 E. Third St. in Arlington.
The statement also encourages citizens to take part in the process. The City Council Workshop agenda and packet materials can be found on the City’s website at www.arlingtonwa.gov.
You can also email comments info@arlingtonwa.gov or speak at the end of the Council Workshop.
I encourage everyone who wants tougher animal cruelty laws to take part in this process. The Mayor has given us the opportunity to make our voices heard. Let’s be sure to take advantage of it.
You mean if I, human, wore a cone around my head was chained outside given food, shelter and water you wouldn’t see that as cruel? I bet you would. What’s the difference? Humans no better. Clearly this human doesn’t.
This is disgusting that someone could be allowed to keep a dog on a chian its whole life. its pure cruilty. This should be illegal .
Turn your outrage into action. Judging people from a keyboard accomplishes nothing. Start an unchaining group! Volunteer with or donate to an unchaining group. Do something long lasting, for all the chained dogs out there that don’t have the attention of Blaze…
Several people have taken action, but their attempts to help have been rebuked. They’re also working with the city to toughen tethering laws which will help Blaze and all other dogs on chains.
Shame on you, City of Arlington! Take control of this situation and remove the dog from this horrific owner and situation.
please help these poor dogs ,,,Angels
This treatment sucks. Animals need and have a right to enjoy the world through exercise and socialization with other animals. This is cruel and needs to stop.
**Sigh** I guess it’s time for those of us who are moral, normal, empathetic and caring to just say #uck it, and remove the animals ourselves. I’m sure tired of the “law”, politicians, and owners to “do the right thing”. I’m getting too old to wait for the rules to be followed and/or enforced. The debacle in Forks was enough for me to see that there IS no justice for animals, ever. Very, very depressing.
Please, please end this dogs suffering and take a stand in changing the laws in Washington state.
No animal should live on a Chain, especially a dog.
Becky Michael
Amanda Berry had access to food, water, shelter and could maneuver too.
What do you mean?
Considering the owner’s background and records with the courts and police, I do hope that the Mayor and Town Council can revoke the license required to have this dog. Rescue organizations and people from across the country are waiting to accept this dog and provide him a good loving home.
My letter to the Mayor and Town Council. I hope this meeting tonight proves to be a productive meeting and a solution oriented meeting for Blaze.
Mayor Tolbert,
I would like to bring a few things to your attention before you City Council meeting this evening – September 14th at 7:00.
I have to wonder and inquire if you are following this petition and the reaction from across the World. Have you read the posts by the owner on Face Book making a joke out of the inhumane treatment of this dog? Does this owner even have a license to have this dog? And additionally if he has a license, can the license be revoked due to the lack of care provided to this dog and a total lack of concern from the owner on Blaze’s well being?
People around the country want to adopt this dog into a loving home, but it appears within the City of Arlington, WA — the concerned people of this city are being ignored…. since 2012.
Thank you for getting involved. The only way we can help Blaze is for people to speak out and make their voices heard.