Carbon Leaf Is Passionate About Unchaining Dogs

Virginia-based quintet Carbon Leaf describes itself as an acoustic/electric/mandolin/ rootsy/poppy rock band that loves to tour, make records, and cook. Carbon Leaf got its start in 1992 by extensively touring the college circuit. The award-winning band has been busy ever since, performing and recording six albums. Carbon Leaf is currently in the studio working on its next album, which is set for release in September. Never too busy to help out dogs in need, the band took time out to record a public service announcement for PETA. The 60-second spot reminds people that dogs should not be kept on chains.

Dogs are pack and territorial animals, and—like us—they are “fight or flight” animals. Virtually every chained dog goes mad to some degree in solitary confinement. Chained dogs grow more and more protective of the tiny area that they are given, the only place they have to eat, sleep, defecate, and urinate in. Prevented from fleeing by chains sometimes weighing half their body weight, these dogs respond in the only way they can when they believe someone is threatening their territory—they attack. When children, who are usually unaware of the danger, wander too close, their lives are in danger.

Since last July, 52 people, including 33 children, have been attacked by chained dogs or by those who have broken their tethers. Four kids, one just 34 days old, were killed in the attacks. These tragic statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were compiled for 2002, the last year for which complete statistics are available, and prove what decent people have said all along: It’s time to ban the dangerous, cruel practice of chaining dogs, for our children’s sake as well as the dogs’.

Find out how you can help put an end to dog chaining in your community. Join others who are taking a stand for chained dogs, including Bill Maher, Loretta Lynn, and Molly Hatchet’s Bobby Ingram.

Keep an eye out for Carbon Leaf making a stop in your town, and view behind-the-scenes footage from the group’s PETA video shoot.