Red and Rover by Brian Basset for November 23, 2014

How awful! With a fence there why not at least let him or her run around??

I’ve never seen Red and Rover do heart-breaking before…

The unfortunate part is that the people who care and are affected don’t need to see this, and the ones that need to see this don’t care and aren’t affected.

SAD!!!! Makes me cry,why somebody would do that!!!

My sentiments exactly.

Awww, this breaks my heart. I used to walk by a house with a dog in the backyard who looked hungry and was out there in the heat and rain. I used to throw dog biscuits at him whenever I walked by (I don’t even have a dog, so I bought them).

I so agree also..

Please Brian…don’t do this again. to Red and Rover…or us! I am saddened so much by this, however truthful it is at times. Poor dog!

So Sad :( This one hurts real bad.

What is the point of having a dog chained to a tire if there is nothing to steal. Looks like a Target dog reject; must have been the wrong breed.

Some dogs are escape artist that need the double restraint (escaping isn’t just a romp, it’s when dogs get hit by cars). Some are also good actors and will put on the “I’ve been forgotten” look the moment they are put out. This could be a loved pet, out for half an hour while the carpets are vacuumed inside. That fence is in poor condition too.

Too often people let their pets romp wild and cause trouble because they “love” them too much to control them… those are the pets that end getting put down. My dog is very upset when he is on the leash on the trails here (as required by law) and unleashed dogs run up and accost him. When “bad dogs” are put down, it’s really due to bad owners.

But why have a dog if you are going to chain him outside? Dogs need to be with their owners – inside when they are. This is a very sad ‘cartoon.’

If it was up to me the owner would be tied up like that to see how it feels.

Rover, you did choose Red… the day that he was almost hit by a bus. You and Red get it – you have the love. Unfortunately too many are lost. We know that a piece of the brilliance of Red & Rover comes from the giving heart of its creator, Brian Basset. It is my understanding that he is very involved with animal rescue. Keep on loving each other boys…you did a wonderful job the week your teacher took you to visit people in need. A little at a time – we’ll get there.LOVE & HUGS TO DEAREST RED & ROVER. Heartfelt thanks to Brian Basset.

Perhaps this upsets you enough to do something, other than just comment. There’s certainly plenty to do. Start by going here daily and donate for free; I do:http://theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/

Our yellow lab Casper picked my brother. When Dave went to look at puppies and couldn’t decide which one he wanted he felt something sit on his foot. Looked down and there was this puppy and the rest is history. Casper has owned us for 12 years.

Some owners should be neutered.

Bad inhuman bad inhumane! The artist isn’t trying to hurt us, simply arouse those of us who care to speak up! Semper Fi, D’doc

I totally agree with this statement. To overlook the obvious while applauding the background is a very good representation of the problems with our society today.

HA! There is a reason that dog has a tire chained to his collar. See that fence? That dog escapes the fence and roams the neighborhood, becoming a nuisance. He’s also strong enough to jump the fence with the tire. Four in the morning, the police are at the door saying there’s a dog roaming the neighborhood, wearing a tire chained to him . Can’t afford a taller fence, can’t let him inside because of the babies so the solution was to move to the country, where the blockhead roamed his ten acres for many years. Don’t be picking on folks before you know if it’s cruelty or not.

Agreed Rover.

If you are as choked up over this as I am, a good place to “unchoke” is here:.http://www.humanesociety.org

Thanks, Brian…a departure from the wonderful standard humor, but sharply pointed and beautifully illustrated. Goin’ in my “Faves”.

Being a former utility meter reader, I saw far too many of these situations that just broke my heart. I had to fill way too many water bowls and hug way too many neglected “pets,” before leaving the yard…

Thank you Mr. Basset for educating about chained dogs with your strip today. Dogs Deserve Better works to free dogs from chains every day. Unfortunately, in most places of the U.S., it is still perfectly legal to keep a dog in the conditions you see in your strip. When we try to get legal help for them there is none available. Only education and laws forbidding such barbaric treatment of our dogs will put an end to the practice. We appreciate you for your voice.

Great message! Thanks so much for putting it out there! Especially this time of year when it’s getting so cold out!

Man’s inhumanity….. but this issue…the perpetually chained and neglected dog…is starting to make inroads into new laws and restrictions for dogs. And that is a GOOD thing. Although we can’t legislate love….we can do the next best. Thanks SO much Brian for calling attention to this issue.

Even as a comic, this breaks my heart. Poor puppy! Thank you for writing about this heart-breaking topic – maybe at least one dog owner will change their behavior…….

I live in Nashville and there are thousands of chained dogs. It is sickening how many are out there in sweltering heat and freezing cold. Middle TN Pet Resource Center helps them by providing straw for warmth, food, toys, doghouses, etc. Of course we also try and educate owners too. We have a big event coming 12/6, please donate if you can. Thank you Brian for highlighting their plight!

Our dog was a puppy of chained parents. The pups were forced to live in a shed. The parents and pups were rescued by an organization called Dogs Deserve Better. They are a chained rescue organization that operates in many different regions of the USA. If you see a dog in need, please contact them. You can look them up on the web and find your nearest chapter. They are wonderful people.

When anyone sees something like this happening, they should contact their local humane society or shelter. A simple phone call could mean the world to a poor animal.

Thank you for raising awareness on the sad plight of chained dogs! Hopefully this cruel practice will be outlawed in all 50 states soon!

Pets should be considered one of the family..When you sign up to have a pet..owners/parents should think about that before they make the commitment..sigh..

thank you for raising awareness of dog tethering. it’s a cruel practice and too few people see it as inappropriate.

Thanks for bringing attention to these dogs.

Pet abuse can be stopped by responsible citizen placing a call or visit to the Humane Society. Some folk have started their own rescue organization. Thank you Brian for raising awareness in a forum where people care and CAN do something!!

thank you for publicizing this treatment of animals

The line between truth and art is often blurred. May our response be to absorb the power of the art and be moved to change the truth.

Evil happens when good people do nothing.

The problem I have found with calling the local humane society is that if the dog has a dog house, food and water, they are considered cared for. The humane society in many areas are overwhelmed with animals and thousands are destroyed every year. The M.O. of the Dogs Deserve Better group is to befriend and educate the owners. Then they either provide training for the animal and owner, or they ask that the animal be surrendered to them to be trained and given a new home. They have rescued thousands of dogs around the country.

REd and Rover, I’m glad you so seldom see the bad things that happen.Being a child of the 50’s, I’m glad you never have to grow up and can keep your fun and innocence alive for us all. I often cry for that lost paradise of a fairly happy childhood. I resisted growing up and still do even tho I’m in my 60’s.I once recued a dog. My small children ran home for lunch and 2 of them were crying.I was told “Buppy’s puppy is bleeding, do something mama” We all went and saw a funny looking puppy with a too small flea collar on and it was chafing her neck and there was blood. We took her home and I went later and told them why the puppy was ours now.

Brian thank you so much for your gift of Red and Rover. This is one of my most favorite comics and when I can get money enough together I want to buy both of your books. I will read and re-read them.

Thank you for bringing awareness to this problem…. Hopefully some dogs will be rescued from this situation!!!!

I hate to see dogs treated like that!!! ;(

Mr Basset, I was very glad to see your comic strip in my Columbus Dispatch this morning. I only wish this were true. Thank you for bringing light to this subject. I love your comic strip! It is the one that I look forward to reading every week. :D

I saw this first in my Sunday newspaper. Well done Brian, great message.

Thank you for bringing awareness!! <3