Dog Information

Is it legal to put heavy chain collars on your dog?

My boyfriend bought a really thick and heavy collar for his dog claiming it will "make her stronger." I think it's a terrible thing to do... is there a max amount of weight that a dog's collar can be? I think thisw falls very closely with animal cruelty, but I am not sure.

Public Comments

1. it legal but may not be a good idea
2. I don't think that there is a maximum weight for collars.. But he is going to do more damage than good.. Pit Bull???
3. Chain collars are only for training! Tell him to take it off!
4. YES YES AND YES it can be considered cruelty to animals. That's NOT what makes a dog tough. If you think it's terrible, well then it is. Get that heavy chain off the dog immediately.
5. i don't think their is a law, but i definatley wouldn't put anything called a "chain" on my dog no matter what size it is. just tell him u don't think it is right. and do it fast before he puts it on her. Good Luck!!!;)
6. Heavy collars like that are known as dogfighting accessories. If someone reports him he could be arrested just for owning dogfighting equipment, regardless of the breed of dog or what he's actually doing with it. It's definitely cruel, I'm not sure if you can have him charged for cruelty just based on that. You should warn him he can definitely get in legal trouble for that based on the dogfighting thing though, they're really cracking down on that stuff.
7. If her trying to make the dog look tough than it's really a bad idea. He can cause real damage to the dogs neck! He must have a Pitt or a Bull dog or a Rotti! Poor dog!
8. i do not like it when people do that. if the chain collar is too heavy it can embed itself into the dogs neck and depending on how long its embedded the chain might have to be surgically removed. what does the dog need to be strong for anyway? im not sure of the max weight, sorry.
9. Not if your animal is an lion or a tiger!! No it is not legal if u taking out for a walk in this chain. However if your dog is chained indoors or in the back yard permanenty and someone or your neighbours sees it, they can report you to animal cruelty agency.
10. thats a really bad idea i would take it off
11. oibviously it's legal otherwise he wouldn't have been able to buy it. but it DOES sound like animal cruelty if it seems too heavy for that poor creature. find a way to sneak it off of her a throw it away.
12. As Alyssa said, heavy chain collars are associated with dogfighting. It probably won't make her stronger, but instead could damage her neck. Tell him to take the collar he wanted to use on his dog and put it on his neck for as long as the dog was going to wear it. It'll probably hurt him after a while, and it probably wouldn't make him stronger. I don't understand why people use those big chains. In my opinion, it's really unnecessary and cruel. Poor dog.
13. I don't know where he would get such an idea. A chain collar is for training only not to be left on. A very heavy collar will only hurt the dog not make him stronger. In short yes, it is cruel and I hope you can convince of that. All the best. Poor dog;~(
14. Some men (feel or need to feel) macho about dogs. It is a shame, because the animal suffers. Legal? Contact your local animal control authority. Sensible? No, the dog has to carry that weight on it's neck which does not build up strength, it can weaken the delicate muscles in the neck. Suggest re-thinking the chain, try a collar, use a chain only for training purposes. Good luck trying to change your boyfriend's mind.
15. If your just talking your standard bike chain it's not going to hurt the dog. If were talking a chain that holds an anchor on a cruise ship that's a different story. Pitbulls and Bulldogs often participate in weight pulling competitions and pull 100 times the weight of a chain so it's not going to hurt the dog. It's also not a dog fighting accessory. If your boyfriend is just doing it to make the dog look tough tell him to grow a bigger dick and stop trying to compensate for his small package by having a tough dog. I use a chain on my Bulldogge but it's for training and he only wears it when I'm training him.
16. No, this is cruel and unusual punishment. Look at what happened to Vic. Stay strong and let your boyfriend know that this is a no-brainer......it's your way or the highway for him! You are CORRECT to think "this is a terrible thing to do". Why does he think this will make the dog stronger???? It will certainly turn the dog MEAN. Animal Cruelty...YES! Tell him to read the stories being covered by Fox & CNN on Vic & maybe he will come to his senses. IF NOT....I would turn him in if I were you and find a new boyfriend. If he is mean to his dog...he will certainly be mean/cruel to you. Stay safe. Blessings, Patti
17. they wouldn't be manufactured if they were cruel to animals..
18. Before you say anything about him to strangers you should tell him you think it is sickining. I think it would be horible. First, does the the dogs head droop more than usual?Take the collar off and see what he does, maybe he'll like you more! Show your boyfriend how he acts without it, if he doesn't care , then consult a police officer. You souldn't care that he is your boyfriend, you should care that he is not making his dog stronger, he is making it weaker.
19. I don't think it's illegal, however, I do think your boyfriend is a terrible moron.
20. Well, I certainly wouldn't put a tow chain on a Yorkie. But, I agree he is an idiot.
21. If hes just making the dog look "tough " then dont consider it . People do this all the time . They think if they put a muscular collar on the dog then it will make the person look tough but it doesnt . If im going to buy something like a stud collar im buying it for general reasons . But i just use a harness its better and easier for me to walk with my dog .
22. i dunno about makeing him stronger , but it is legal. i dont see why it would make him stronger unless it was a long chain that the dog dragged. but as long as its not like a HUGE chain collar i dont see the problem