Human Society calls for limits on dogs-in-chains

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The Humane Society of Utah is calling for a new law to prohibit dogs from being chained up for more than eight hours at a stretch.

The society's executive director, Gene Baierschmidt, says it's cruel to keep dogs chained to a tree day after day, especially in cold or sweltering weather.

Baierschmidt says he's enlisted some Salt Lake County council members for a news conference Tuesday.

Their proposal would prohibit chaining up dogs for more than eight hours during any 24-hour period, or for any time under extreme weather. The ordinance would exempt dogs on running lines.

Violators would be warned first, then subject to fines of up to $1,000 for repeated offenses.