Animal-Rights Group Wants to Halt Dog-Chaining

Durham — Mopsy and Bessie are 79-year-old Dietrich von Haugwitz's companions. Mopsy has been around for years, but Bessie joined her only a few weeks ago. "The dog has taken to me and now loves me dearly as if she's been with me for years and years," von Haugwitz said.That might come as no surprise at all, considering what Bessie has been through."Bessie was not being taken care of. She was being fed every few days at best," von Haugwitz said, Bessie lived on a chain no more than 6 feet long. Her owner, an elderly woman with dementia, reportedly neglected the dog.Animal advocates fought to have Bessie removed from her former home. Now they are fighting for other animals. The group known as the Coalition to Unchain Dogs is working to restrict or ban the chaining of dogs in Durham and Orange counties."Dogs are social animals," said spokesperson Amanda Arrington.

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