As an afterthought, didn't they enact (not sure if it is in every state) a chain law?
That a dog can only be chained or tied out for so many hours of the day?
Ok, quick search, it did go into affect some places at least:
'You won't be able to leave your dogs chained up, come October. The Austin City Council passed a new ordinance that will prohibit people from tethering dogs. Council members believe cooped-up canines will become aggressive, and by doing away with chains, neighborhoods will in turn be safer.'
'New dog law is off the chain
Oakland Tribune, Dec 30, 2006 by Cheryl Winkelman
Come Monday, dog owners will need to change the way they chain up their best friends.
A new state law will prohibit people from "tethering, fastening, chaining, tying or restraining a dog to a dog house, tree, fence or other stationary object."
They can only tie up dogs "to complete a temporary task that requires the dog to be restrained" for no more than three hours in a 24-hour period of time.
Exceptions include tethering a dog for the purposes of farming, camping or walking iton a hand-held leash. A dog can be tied up to a running line, pulley or trolley system if a choke or pinch collar is not used.'
If your city/town has that law they could do something.