When my brothers and I were little we had a dog that lived outside 24/7. He was chained up during the night even though we had a fenced in yard. We used to let him off the chain and play with him all the time. Its the people who leave the dog out the all the time,(as a yard decoration) and have little to do with it...these are the people who we want stopped.
After I moved out, I always had my dog in the house with me. I never leave them unattended when they are out side (even to pee). I am always afraid something might happen to them if I am not there.
Missy