06-03-2025
Support for tether law grows as more residents rally
PLATTSBURGH — After their efforts were thwarted last year, animal rights advocates are continuing to push on for a dog tethering law in Clinton County.
'These people want a dog tether law in Clinton County, it's undeniable,' Jennifer Jewett, the face behind the movement, said as dozens of residents packed into the Clinton County Legislature chambers with her for the Feb. 26 meeting in a show of support.
'Tonight, this is my 32nd legislature meeting, and frankly, you guys have done nothing to fix the 24/7 dog tethering problem in Clinton County. This week, I looked at a video taken last winter, a video of a German Shepherd, a one-and-a-half-year-old puppy, chained up in the freezing rain in Mooers. It made me so angry — even today — especially since you haven't done a single thing, except stall our efforts, all year long.'
Since February of 2024, Jewett, of Champlain, has repeatedly asked the legislature to pass a county-wide dog tethering law that would include making tethering or tying a dog out '24/7' illegal.
Jewett's pursuit for this legislation began after learning that two dogs in Mooers had been living most of their lives tied out on chains with no consequences to the owner.
Since her advocacy began, one of the dogs she hoped to help, a husky, has since died, according to Clinton County Sheriff Department records.
Jewett was hoping for the county to pass legislation that would mirror Essex County's existing tether law, which has been in place since 2016, but recognized the legislators may not like all of the restrictions in it and would prefer crafting their own to better fit the needs of Clinton County residents.
Throughout most of last year, Jewett advocated for the tether law, traveling to each of the 17 municipalities in the county to speak with supervisors and gauge support for it.
VOTED DOWN
Last fall, Jewett came close to her wishes coming true after working for months to craft a law legislators would feel more comfortable about and getting it approved by the county's attorney, Jacqueline Kelleher.
However, when it came time to vote, the legislature, following a heated discussion, shot it down before it could move to a public hearing.
Opponents to the law, such as Legislature Chairman Mark Henry (R-Area 3, Chazy), continuously argued they wanted the towns to create their own laws and not have one forced upon them by the county. This would mean 17 towns creating 17 different laws.
'We want one county-wide dog title law, just like so many around the country, not 17 laws within the county that will only confuse law enforcement and make it harder to enforce,' Jewett said.
'You know, as well as we do that having 17 separate laws makes no sense whatsoever.'
GROWING PRESSURE
Since her proposal was shot down in October of 2024, Jewett's movement has only picked up steam across the county.
At the Feb. 26 meeting, more than 30 people were in attendance to show the legislature they want a law, however, only three were granted the ability to speak during public comment.
Jewett was one of them. Betty Lou LaJoy, one of the founding members of the local National Alliance on Mental Illness, was another.
LaJoy said studies, including a United Nations one, have shown that cruelty to animals has a negative effect on children's empathy. She said society is currently paying for its cruelty to animals.
'Everybody knows that serial killers and other people that do cruel things to people have done cruel things to animals,' she said. 'We've known that for years.'
'Tethering a dog or any animal, in my opinion, for 24/7 on a short chain, is cruel. So we're paying for it in our criminal justice system. We're paying for it for mental health care, and they even found out that it affects children physically when they become adults and as children. So it's costing us money, and again, it's a problem that we looked at the world over, not just the United States, not just Clinton County.'
Jessica Murnane felt similarly. She said the legislature is listening to a minority of county residents who don't want a law.
'Animal cruelty equates to human cruelty,' she said.
'The lack of empathy to watching animals out in sub-zero temperatures and justify it by saying, 'but I love that dog.' Well, then sir or ma'am, you need to be taught what love looks like.
'Can we please get some hope in this room that you guys can stand up and do the right thing and tell the minority of your constituents that 'listen, this makes sense; 80% of the county says yes, 80%.' If you want your votes, please vote yes.'
