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Breaking the Chain: The Guard Dog Story
RELEASED ON SEPTEMBER 3!
Fall back in love with the inspiring story of Guard Dog, a formerly chained dog whose 2023 freedom tale garnered fervent praise from animal welfare leaders and celebrities, and has touched the hearts of millions of readers around the world.
This book features the seven-week-long tale of Guard Dog’s unchaining and adoption, an illustrated history of Guard Dog (written by Patrick), real-life rescue stories, and empowering information from voices in the animal welfare community.
Includes a preface by Patrick McDonnell and introductions from Sidewalk Angels co-founders Marisol and Rob Thomas (of Matchbox Twenty).
Guard Dog In the News
- People.com | Rob Thomas and His Wife Team Up With MUTTS for New Guard Dog Book: 'It Really Spoke to Us’
- The Daily Cartoonist | Guard Dog Book and Mutts' 30th Year
- ComicBook.com | Exclusive Preview: Patrick McDonnell's Breaking the Chain: The Guard Dog Story
- Geek Vibes Nation (Podcast) | GVN Talking Comics Interview: Patrick McDonnell
- Forces of Geek | Patrick McDonnell's 'Breaking the Chain' Inspires With Its Creativity, Empathy, and an Unforgettable Portrait of a Chained Dog
- IGN | Breaking the Chain: The Mutts Comic Strip Gets a Graphic Novel Spinoff
Meet Guard Dog
Guard Dog (now known as "Sparky") made his debut in the MUTTS comic strip in 1995 and quickly became one of the strip’s most beloved characters. As a formerly chained dog who longed for freedom, he’s played an important role in raising awareness about the cruelty of tethering, and has inspired countless MUTTS readers to become involved in animal welfare.
"Guard Dog has made me much braver when it comes to reporting those who chain and neglect their poor dogs. At least two of my calls have definitely saved chained dogs!"
Lori Lynn
MUTTS READER
"When humans mistreat animals it reveals our hardness of heart rather than their lack of worth. And that hardness spills over into our dealings with those humans who we have been taught to believe are somehow 'other' than us."
Karen Dawn
PRESIDENT & FOUNDER OF DAWNWATCH
"Guard Dog represents resilience and love — the true nature of animals. Even though he has been tethered it hasn’t stopped him from seeking and giving love."
Katy Hansen
ACC OF NYC, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS
Guard Dog Through the Years
Swipe to see a few memorable moments from Guard Dog's journey.
For years, Guard Dog spent his days and nights chained, with only the moon and an occasional animal visitor for company. Finally in 2004, a glimmer of hope appeared in the form of a young neighborhood girl named Doozy. After that, Doozy paid Guard Dog many visits on her way to and from school, always arriving with something to brighten his day: a blanket, treats, a hug, a kind word, a reminder that he wasn’t alone in the world.
In late 2023, nearly three decades after MUTTS readers first fell in love with the character, Guard Dog’s freedom story began to unfold in a seven-week storyline. After being abandoned by his owner and left alone to suffer, Guard Dog was discovered by his animal friends Mooch and Earl, and ultimately rescued by Doozy and Ozzie (Earl’s guardian). On November 30, Ozzie broke the chain for good. On December 14, Doozy adopted Guard Dog — marking the end of a long life of neglect and the beginning of one filled with love.
From the beginning, several animal welfare groups implored Patrick to keep Guard Dog in the strip as a symbol for all chained dogs, to remind people that no dog should have to live in such conditions. Since then, many states have made it illegal to tether dogs. Michigan State University has published a list of 23 states, plus D.C., which all have passed laws, some stronger than others, that restrict the use of tethering. Though this is great news, this is less than half of the 50 states. It means more needs to be done.
Real-Life Rescue Stories
Bigfoot • Ohio
Bigfoot arrived at Adopt a Pit Rescue after living his entire life chained on a concrete pad. He was rescued by neighbors, then underwent multiple surgeries while in foster care. Now, he lives happily with his forever family.
READ BIGFOOT'S STORYTyler ("Teetsie") • New York
This freedom story about a formerly chained dog named Tyler comes from Marisol Thomas, who co-founded the nonprofit organization Sidewalk Angels Foundation with her husband, musician Rob Thomas.
READ TYLER'S STORYHerman • Michigan
Rescued by community volunteers at the Michigan Pit Bull Education Project, Herman suffered extreme neglect at the end of a chain before finding a loving home with his forever family.
READ HERMAN'S STORYFreddy Furcury • Virginia
Freddy is a lovable, formerly tethered dog who was found with a chain embedded in his neck. He was rescued by shelter workers and is now living his best life with his adoptive mom Bethany.
READ FREDDY'S STORY"The forces that conspire to keep dogs on tethers and chains are complex, and these sad situations aren’t always what they seem. Some people tether their dogs not because they don’t care, but because they lack access to other options. Poverty and structural inequality create obstacles to affordable pet wellness resources, the same way people face food deserts or inadequate housing.
"With tens of millions of pets living with families in poverty, the extreme lack of access to pet resources is a national crisis. Real change that breaks the chain requires compassion for animals and their people alike."
Kitty Block
CEO OF THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
Questions About Helping Chained Dogs
From the Humane Society of the United States:
People tether their dogs for a variety of reasons. Most people who do this are unaware of the harm it can cause to their dogs. Social norms of pet-keeping have made tethering unpopular, so it is declining as a practice, but some reasons people do it include:
- The dog is a repeat escapee and the owner has run out of ideas to safely confine the dog.
- The owner is trying to protect their dog from something on the other side of their fence (kids, another dog, etc.) by keeping the dog in one area in the yard.
- The owner's fence is damaged or the owner doesn't have a fenced yard.
- The dog's behavior makes keeping them indoors challenging and the owner doesn't know how to correct the behavior.
- The landlord may not allow the pet owner to keep the dog indoors or install a fence.
- The pet owner comes from a family that always tethered dogs and may not realize there are better options.
If you're worried about a chained dog near you, there are many online guides — from Unchain Your Dog, Dogs Deserve Better, HSUS, Stray Animal Foundation, and others — that offer advice about how help. They suggest the following:
- Try speaking and offering help to the owner, trying to encourage bringing the dog inside. Learn why the owner won't bring the dog inside. (Dogs Deserve Better)
- If bringing the dog inside is not an option, offer help in the form of straw, food, and a dog house if needed. A warm shelter is better than no shelter at all. (Dogs Deserve Better)
- Offer to rehome or buy the chained dog from the owner. (But don’t offer to buy the dog if you think that the owner will just go right back out and get another.) Just say something like, “I saw your dog and have always wanted a red chow. Would you sell him to me for $50?” You can then place the dog into a good home. (Stray Animal Foundation)
- In some communities, there are also nonprofit organizations that provide care and outreach specifically for chained/outside dogs. An online search can help you find out whether there are any in your local area. If so, you can contact them for guidance or support.
- Consider asking your local animal care and control agency to pay the owner a visit. Even if tethering is legal, agents can make a friendly visit to see if they can improve the situation by helping the owner troubleshoot and gather resources to address the problem at its root. Most situations can be improved through positive engagement and support services; punitive measures can be used to address the most egregious of situations. (HSUS)
UnchainYourDog.org offers tips on approaching dog "owners," including the following:
It is very important to be nice, friendly, and respectful to the dog’s owners. Say something like:
- I saw your dog in the backyard. I have a big bag of dog food I don't need any more. Could you use it? I'd hate for it to go to waste.
- I have an extra doghouse I'd be happy to bring over. Is that OK?
- I noticed your dog lives on a chain. I'm sure he would love the chance to exercise. Could I come by a few times a week to walk your dog?
- I love shepherds. My shepherd died and I really miss him. Can I go back and meet your dog? What's his name?
- Since winter is coming, I'm giving hay to people with outside dogs. Could you use some hay for your dog's house?
It may take multiple visits to gain the owner's trust. Keep at it, and take baby steps each time you visit. Educate the owner so that he will think of the dog in a new light; as a living creature who needs love and attention and care.
Hopefully, he will learn how to treat dogs better in the future. Remember that helping the dog a little is better than doing nothing at all. You may not be able to convince the owner to relinquish the dog or put up a fence — if all you can do is get a decent doghouse, a well-fitting collar, and some treats, that is a success and the dog’s life has been improved.
Yes, some states and communities in the U.S. have laws regarding chaining and tethering. To see what laws may be on the books in your area, we recommend checking out PETA's list of Current Legislation on Tethering Dogs.
Additionally, Michigan State University explains how some of these laws work:
While the laws themselves vary from state to state, they do have several consistent features. Some state laws allow a dog to be tethered for a reasonable period of time. California prohibits tethering a dog to a stationary object, but allows a dog to be tethered “no longer than is necessary for the person to complete a temporary task that requires the dog to be restrained for a reasonable period.” More recent laws restrict the number of hours a dog can be tethered within a 24-hour period.
Some states specify the type of tether. Hawaii and Rhode Island and several others have outlawed choke collar, pinch collar, or prong type collars. Other states dictate the length or weight of the tether. Many states require that the tether allow the dog unencumbered access to food, water, and shelter without becoming entangled.
"Cruel" tethering may be included as a violation of state anti-cruelty chapters. Indiana defines “neglect” as restraining an animal for more than a brief period in a manner that endangers the animal's life or health by the use of a rope, chain, or tether. Tethering in a manner that causes injury or even danger to the dog, including attacks by other animals, can be classified as cruel restraint under many state laws.
Finally, in the wake of dogs being left tied during natural disasters, some states provide restrictions based on weather. Pennsylvania makes it a presumption of neglect if the dog is tethered for longer than 30 minutes in temperatures above 90 or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. In Connecticut and Massachusetts, when a weather advisory or warning is issued by authorities, or when outdoor conditions (extreme heat, cold, wind, rain, snow or hail) pose an adverse risk to the health or safety of particular dog, duration of tethering cannot exceed fifteen minutes. In Louisiana, it is prohibited to tie or tether a dog or cat in a manner that exposes it to extreme weather conditions in designated emergency areas.
What happens in those states without laws? General anti-cruelty laws could still penalize the tethering if the dog suffers neglect or cruelty under state law. In addition, many cities and counties have implemented their own laws that restrict or regulate tethering and chaining.
Absolutely! We recommend checking out PETA's guide to passing animal-friendly legislation.
Here is a good explanation from UnchainYourDog.org:
Chaining makes dogs aggressive — not protective. A dog learns to be protective by spending time with people and by learning to love his human family. When your dog loves you, he will want to protect you. Aggressive dogs don’t know the difference between friends and enemies, because they are not used to people.
Plus: A chained dog can’t do anything to stop an intruder! All he can do is bark. If all you want is a burglar alarm, consider an electronic one.
Friends of Real-Life Guard Dogs
Tripawds: Made possible by the nonprofit Tripawds Foundation, this user-supported community offers free resources and assistance programs to help amputee pets and their people.
Sidewalk Angels: Sidewalk Angels Foundation is dedicated to providing critically needed funds and support to nearly 30 rescues and shelters that help to fight for the rights and fair treatment of those with no voice.
PETA's Community Animal Project: This outreach group focuses on “backyard dogs” in southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina. The team works 365 days a year on improving quality of life and passing legislation to afford protection to chained and/or penned dogs.
Dogs Deserve Better: Based in Central Virginia, this organization provides assistance in under-resourced communities by offering spay and neuter services, fencing, insulated dog houses, vet care, dog food, and supplies. Their adoption and foster programs unite animals with their forever homes. They also advocate for humane legislation and educate community members on animal welfare.
Michigan Pit Bull Education Project (MPEP Outreach): This Flint, Michigan-based nonprofit promotes spay and neutering programs, educates youth about dog fighting, fights breed-specific legislation, and works with communities to end the practice of 24/7 chaining.
DawnWatch: DawnWatch encourages mainstream media to cover animal issues well so that people can make informed lifestyle choices in line with their own true values.