If you're walking through Georgetown on June 28, and happen to see a woman chained outdoors by Carey's Foreign Service, don't be alarmed.

Animal advocates will chain themselves to doghouses, trees and other fixed objects in locations across the country from June 27-July 7.  Non-profit Dogs Deserve Better’s annual “Chain Off” is a unique, week-long event – part protest, part performance art – designed to raise awareness about the suffering endured by the millions of dogs that live out their days in chains.
 
On June 28th, New Castle resident Marleen Oetzel will chain herself in Georgetown, at Careys' Foreign Service, from 10am Saturday June 28 through 10am Sunday June 29.  Carey's Foreign Service is located on Route 18/404, half a mile from The Circle.  There will be an information booth and raffle items.  The public is warmly invited to stop by.
 
“Living chained for 24 hours will be grueling,” said Ms. Oetzel.  “But my 24 hours of discomfort is nothing compared to the daily suffering of so many dogs who spend their entire lives at the end of  a chain, living in a small patch of mud, their chains wrapped around a tree, baking in the summer sun or freezing in the cold, desperate for affection or even just a walk. Most of us can barely begin to imagine the agony and loneliness of such a life for a social, intelligent animal like a dog.’” 
 
Dogs Deserve Better holds Chain Off, now in its sixth year, around the July 4 holiday when "freedom" is on the national consciousness.  The Pennsylvania-based non-profit is focused exclusively on ending the antiquated practice of keeping a dog tied up for its life, or for extended periods of time. Although increasingly recognized as abusive, 24/7 chaining is still prevalent and accepted in many places in the United States, including in Delaware, where existing animal welfare laws allow dogs to be chained for their entire lives.
 
Because of the humanitarian and public safety issues posed by chained dogs (perpetually chained dogs are responsible for hundreds of attacks on children every year), a number of states, cities and counties have started passing laws addressing how long people can chain their dogs. California and Texas recently passed statewide laws that put specific time limits on chaining and a number of other states, including Pennsylvania and South Carolina, are currently considering similar legislation.  Several hundred cities and counties nationwide also have so-called anti-tethering laws, some banning the practice entirely.
 
Nationwide, supporters of the anti-chaining cause will observe Chain Off by tethering themselves in parks, private yards, and other places between June 27 and July 7. Chicago will host  this year's main Chain Off event with 24 hours of festivities and educational outreach, June 28-29.

Why is this being done?

• An estimated 6 million dogs live most or all of their lives in chains in the U.S. alone, many of them becoming impregnated and giving birth while chained, giving rise to yet more unwanted animals.
• Because today most reasonable people understand that dogs are social, intelligent animals that require exercise, grooming, vet care, stimulation, and compassion – all of which most perpetually chained dogs never receive.
• Because chained dogs often become neurotic and aggressive, thereby posing a danger to children and adults.
• Because there are numerous, humane methods of confinement that do not involve chaining a dog by its neck for months or years at a time.
• Because the national trend is away from a tacit acceptance of this method of confinement as appropriate, with hundreds of cities, states, and counties passing laws that limit or ban the practice of perpetual chaining.