Tethering/Chaining

Battle Creek, Michigan

October 4, 2005

This ordinance prohibits the tethering of dogs for more than three , one-hour periods per day. Tethering periods must be separated by a hiatus of three continuous hours.

CHAPTER 608
608.09 Cruelty to Animals

(a) No person shall cruelly treat or abuse an animal in any of the following ways:

(7) Confine an animal on a tether, unless the tether allows the animal access to suitable shelter and:

A. For dogs, the tether is at least ten feet in length; the tether and collar, harness or other type of collaring device when taken together weighs not more than one-eighth of the dog’s body weight and does not, due to weight, inhibit the free movement of the dog; the manner of tethering prevents injury, strangulation, or entanglement on fences, trees or other man-made or natural obstacles or objects; the collar, harness or any other type of collaring device being used is designed for that purpose and made from material that prevents injury to the dog; the period of tethering does not exceed one continuous hour, except that tethering of the same dog may resume after an hiatus of three continuous hours; and the dog is tethered no more than a total of three hours per day.

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 Ingrid E. Newkirk

“Almost all of us grew up eating meat, wearing leather, and going to circuses and zoos. We never considered the impact of these actions on the animals involved. For whatever reason, you are now asking the question: Why should animals have rights?” READ MORE

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