" Let's copy Omaha on this one ASAP. Tethering or tying up an animal for long periods of time causes aggression in dogs. My neighbors tie their pit bulls up all day long, oh, except for when they get loose and run around the neighborhood. I wish my neighbors would move in next door to a city council member. That might get things moving a little sooner. "

" I wish Lincoln did that! Tying up your dog does lead to aggressive behavior, plus it's just plain mean. There are people in my neighborhood that tie up their dogs outside and then leave for the day. Sometimes I drive by and it's raining and they're still out there! Very sad! "

" Please, let Lincoln adopt this same ordinance. I have one neighbor in particular who leaves the dog tied up for 10-15 hours every day, 7 days a week. All the dog does as a result is bark and keep us awake at night. Please Lincoln...this is a simple, workable solution. This would help people get off of the fence about whether or not they can keep a pet if they actually have to keep it inside most of the time. There are too many dogs and too many irresponsible owners. "

" We used to keep our dog tethered. We had an awkward sized yard, and he got more room on the leash than he ever would have had with a fence. "

" Do your homework on breeds of dogs PEOPLE~ I have seen poodles try to kill other animals. "

" I don't see anything wrong with having a dog tied up outside during the day, as long as it's weather appropriate and the animals have food, water, and shelter. Lots of people have dogs for protection of themselves and property, and they don't believe that a dog should be inside all the time, or cooped up in a kennel. Not all dogs become agressive if they are tied up.
I don't have any pets currently, but I do love animals very much. "

" Yes, let all of the dogs run free!! No leashes!! No cages!! Let's just have a city where dogs run wild and create packs!! That won't cause more problems or more aggression. Because if a dog can't be tied up outside, then people shouldn't be able to keep them on a leash either. Right?

**Are you kidding?? This law is stupid!! Owners should be allowed to keep their dogs tied up in front of their houses, there is nothing wrong with that, and those who think so should think again** "

" It isn't just pit bulls people my dog got attacked by a chocolate lab!! My kids got chased and almost attacked by a golden retriever!! All dog breads!!!

I also think if we see a dog tied up with no shelter or food, it is our responsibility to call on them to help the poor defensless animal!! "

" Certain animals are more agrressive when tethered and ignored, but not all. We lived on an acreage and had a border collie/blue healer cross for 15 years that was our guard dog for our barn. He was on a long tether and had an insulated dog house, food water, and love. He was outside year round and we had a blanket heater for him in the winter. He was never agressive/vocal if you belonged on the property. He understood his job was to protect the barn, horses, and equipment. You didn't go near it if you didn't belong. He even kept a sherrif in his car once as he approached our property. He knew who the law of our place was, and who was a tresspasser. I think there are some places where a tether limit doesn't make sense, even if your address is Lincoln.

I think the ordinance needs to be thoroughly thought through before quickly rushing into passing something like this. I agree that there are situations where tethering is cruel, but some other options aren't much better. I pity dogs that have to be kenneled all day long because the owner doesn't have a fenced yard. I would much rather the dogs be kept outside, under safe conditions than trapped in a box for 10 hours a day. I hate putting my dog behind bars. "

" what people don't understand is that without the extra officers for Lincoln for enforcement of these laws, its just on the books. An officer comes to my house and says they received a complaint on my dog being tethered longer than 15 minutes and I say, of course, "well I just put him out there". How are they going to prove that? People will call people in just to harrass them with bogus complaints. Omaha has more problems with dogs than Lincoln does. Be the responsible pet owner that you are supposed to be and there wouldn't be issues. "

" These laws are specifically designed against the trashiest elements of our society and is clearly discrimination. Fences, shots, spaying, chewies, cookies, licenses and other pet-related materials are expensive and they cannot afford it. The next thing you know they'll outlaw junked cars in yards, broken washing machines tossed around, flat tires on cars in the streets and beating kids. If this keeps up I'm going to move to Kansas. "

" Centers for Disease Control Fatal Dog Bites by Breed 1980 to 1998
Purebred Total

Pit bull-type 66
Rottweiler 39
German Shepherd Dog 17
Husky-type 15
Malamute 12
Doberman Pinscher 9
Chow Chow 8
Great Dane 7
Saint Bernard 7 "

" I think that the law about only allowing your pet to be tied up for 15 mins is great. In the dead of summer in Nebraska thats all they need to be outside for. I do not agree with the muzzle though. It is the stupid mistakes that others have made that we all (Pit Owners) have to suffer from. I also find it offensive that Lincoln Animal Control is sending out flyers letting you know how to control your animal. I have 2 pitbulls one for over a year. There has never been any problems with them. Its not the breed its the owners. "

" I don't know what pollyanna planet you city dwellers live on, but dogs are OUTSIDE animals. There are already laws for noise, unleashed dogs, and neglect. If the dog barks during the day, get the noise ordinance changed. Requiring people to keep their dogs inside so YOU don't have to seen them is petty, selfish, encroaching on their property rights, and is contrary to breed of the dog itself. If you have a real dog, e.g. not some freak of nature like a pomeranian or chihuahua then it needs to be outside. I hope this gets overturned. "

" Dogs ARE OUTSIDE animals. Before we domesticated them, they lived perfectly well outside, without anyone giving them food or shelter. I have had dogs all my life and they have been perfectly happy outside, summer or winter, on a tether, in a kennel or in a fenced yard. Why do we worry more about the way we treat our animals than we do our children? Next thing you know they will be requiring us to get them daycare when we aren't home with them. Give me a break. "

" Well if you can bear the thought of actually tying your dog up outside all alone all day, then I'm not surprised you have a mean dog. You have no heart. Mine usually doesn't bleed so liberally, but I love animals and I can't stand people who have pets? and ignore them for hours on end. "

" Yeah I know, I can't believe all the poodle attacks I've been reading about over the years. With those huge powerful jaws and solid frame poodles are definately a breed to avoid when seen running loose down the street. Lets not forget about those vicious chihuahuas and pomeranians... oooh the thought of it gives me the chills. Please people, for the sake of the children, lock up your poodles!! "

" This is great! Now Lincoln needs to be a little bit more progressive and follow! I think all dogs need to be muzzled!!!!!! "

" Animal Control sent those flyers out to "pitbull type" owners. It was their way of trying to head off the ordinances that Omaha put in place. It wasn't meant to offend anyone. If you take care of your dogs, then you shouldn't of been upset. Not everyone does as well as you. "

" Why are you all acting like the only alternative to tethering is keeping the dogs inside? Ever hear of that centuries-old invention called the fence? If you can't afford a fence, then you can't afford a dog. "

" Dogs may or may not be "Outside Animals", but they are PACK ANIMALS. What that means is a dog chained outside for 24/7 is being tortured by not being allowed to be with his/her pack. Dogs need companionship, love and care. I'm not talking about just the little foofoo dogs, the big Rotts and Pits as well. Read a book once in awhile insead of listening to talk radio.
BTW, if you can't afford a fence/chewies/vet care, then you really need to find a new home for your pet. "

" First off, I do think that some dogs are more prone to be violent than others. I agree that sometimes owners and the treatment they give their dogs contribute to the temperment of the dog. Having said that, if dogs are outside, unless there is a sturdy fence, they should by all means be tethered. As to how long is too long, our dog (a beagle) is in a kennel during the day. I used to think it was cruel, but I also know how much she loves to nap during the day, so I think if we kept her outside all day, she would be overly tired.

On the flip side, if the weather is not too hot or not too cold, if we are going to be gone for an hour or two we will leave her outside (on a very long tether in a fenced yard). Her biggest problem with being outside is she hates to be alone. She'd stay out there happily for hours if someone was there with her! "

" Just what I was going to say. Regardless of the fact if dogs are outdoor animals or not they are pack animals. Having a "lawn ornament"dog is psychologically damaging to them and can often lead to behavior problems including aggression.You made the choice to get the dog, it is your responsibility to take care of them because they cannot fend for themselves. This includes good food, shelter, vet care and common sense when it comes to being outside. If you can't handle it then you shouldn't have a dog in the first place.

I may not agree 100% with the muzzling of pitbulls but I'd much rather have a muzzling law than a breed ban. Way to be creative omaha.

I think that Lincoln should definately follow in Omaha's footsteps with this one. "

" I own three dogs. I also have a fence. Why? Because I wouldn't want to be chained up all day. If you can't have a fence don't have a dog! Can't afford a fence? Get a second job to afford one! "

" To all the haters of pitt-bulls, have you ever interacted with the breed? Yes they are a poweful animal, they were bred that way by humans. The dogs you hear about, have been abused by humans. It isn't a problem with the dogs, it is a problem with humans. And not all dogs that attack are Pitt-bulls, the same behavior happens to other breeds.
Look at what love & attention can do. Fighting dogs from the Michael Vick case have been rehabilitated & are now part of homes. "

" I understand that putting in a fence is too expensive for many people but you can find an outdoor dog run at most hardware stores for a reasonable price. These enclosures are much safer than tethers which can tangle and cause the dog to be unable to reach their food and water or can even cause injuries to the dogs.
Everyone on here commenting that it is the owners not the breed of dog are absolutely right! If you don't believe that it is the owners, try watching the Dog Whisperer, Cesar Millan. By the way, many of the worst cases on the Dog Whisperer have been smaller breed dogs like chihuahas. No, they can't cause the severity of injuries that larger breeds can but they can be just as agressive with the wrong owner. "