By Tim Saunders on
Country music legend Emmylou Harris has recorded a new radio PSA for PETA encouraging people to unchain their dogs this Holiday season.
The 61-year-old – who founded her own animal shelter – is raising awareness of the mistreatment of dogs and is encouraging people to bring them indoors and let them be part of the family.
“Keeping a dog on a chain or in a pen is about the worst thing a person could ever do to them,” she says in the message. “It goes against everything a dog is – social, a pack animal, eager to please. Chaining a dog hurts its body and its mind. It’s actually a form of animal abuse.”
According to PETA: "Wintry weather means extra hardship for “backyard” dogs. Chained dogs often have nowhere to go to escape the cold and snow. They suffer from frostbite, exposure, and dehydration when water sources freeze… U.S. animal shelters must put nearly 4 million dogs and cats to death every year because of simple math: There are too many animals and not enough worthy adoptive homes. Millions more animals are condemned to a sad life of loneliness, isolated outside with no exercise or attention."
As well as being a staunch supporter of animal rights, Harris is also heavily involved in causes such as feminism and is an organizer of the annual Concert for a Landmine Free World, which raises money for the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation’s anti-landmine campaign.
The full PETA PSA can be heard here.
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