Champlain, New York

Local Law No. 1 (of 2025)

Section 3. Purpose.

By adopting this local law, the Town of Champlain declares its intent to regulate and control the outdoor confinement of dogs restrained or kept on property located within the Town. The town of Champlain has determined that the practice of tethering a dog outside for a prolonged period to a stationary object, including but not limited to a structure, pole, or tree is inhumane and presents a threat to the safety and well-being of the dog. Dogs tethered to a fixed point are more likely to become aggressive and present a threat to human beings as well as other animals. Tethers, chains and other restraints can also injure dogs, as the restraint may tangle on other objects.

The Town of Champlain is aware that animals tied to stationary objects outside for extended periods of time are also frequently the victims of other forms of neglect including insufficient food and/or water, or inadequate shelter. Furthermore, dogs confined for long periods of time often vocalize to signal their distress and thereby disrupt the peace and quiet of the community.

All dogs need the opportunity to exercise and engage in normal social behaviors, indefinite long-term confinement of any dog by any means of restraint is generally considered to be inhumane and unacceptable.

Therefore, the Town of Champlain finds that it is in the best interest of its residents as well as their dogs to ensure the safety of all by regulating the manner in which a dog may be restrained or confined outdoors.

Section 4. Definitions.

As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

a. Attend” means to be present, look after, and pay attention to the dog(s) while tethered by a reasonable and competent individual on the premises.

b. “Agent” means a competent responsible person who acts on behalf of another person, in this case the owner of the dog.

c. “Confinement” means to restrict and/or seclude a dog’s movement. If a dog can enter and exit the enclosure as it pleases, it is not considered confined.

d. “Harbor” means to provide food, water, shelter, care or to be responsible for any dog.

e. “Owner” shall mean any person who harbors or keeps any dog. In the event any dog is involved in this local law shall be owned by a person under eighteen years of age, the owner shall be deemed to be the parent or guardian of such person (or the head of the household in which said person resides). This shall also include any agent, representative or person responsible for the care and welfare of any dog.

f. “Tether” shall mean to restrain a dog by attaching the dog to any stationary object or structure, including without limitation a house, tree, fence, post, garage, or shed, or mobile device, including, without limitation, a trolley or pulley, by any means, including without limitation a chain, rope, cord, leash, or running line. Tethering does not include the use of a leash to walk a dog.

g. “Weather Alert” shall mean any National Weather Service warning for heat advisory, frigid weather, snow or ice storm, tornadoes, tropical storms, high winds, or thunderstorms.

Section 5. Tethering Prohibitions.

It shall be unlawful for any person, owner, agent or responsible person to tether, or confine a dog to any stationary object outdoors or cause such dog to be confined in a manner that:

1. Endangers such dog’s health, safety and well-being.
2. Unreasonably limits the movement of such dog because it is too short for the dog to move around or for the dog to urinate or defecate in a separate area from the area in which it must eat, drink, or lie down.
3. Denies such dog the opportunity to exercise and engage in normal social interactions on a regular basis.
4. It there are multiple dogs, each dog must be tethered separately.
5. No dog shall be left tethered to a fixed point, attached to an overhead dog run, or trolley system or placed in a dog enclosure unattended on vacant or abandoned property.
6. A dog shall not be tethered in any of the following circumstances: under six months of age; a nursing female; a female in heat; any health condition that would be exacerbated by tethering, injury, in distress, or in the advanced stages of pregnancy.
7. A dog must have unencumbered access to shade, food, clean, fresh and potable water, shelter and dry ground without becoming entangled.
8. A dog may only be tethered if it is supervised. The owner or responsible person must “attend “to the dog. That means the dog owner or responsible person can’t leave the property while the dog is tethered outside.
9. A dog may not be tethered outside during the night hours of 11:00 PM – 6:00 AM.

Section 6. Specifications for tethering restraints and enclosures.

1. A dog shall not be tethered to a fixed point, running line, pulley or trolley system or any other system by means of a choke-chain, or pinch collar. Dogs shall be tethered to such system by means of a harness or collar made of nylon, leather or other durable non-metallic material and must be fitted so as to not cause injury to the animal or embed itself in the animal’s neck.
2. The length of a stationary tether shall not be less than 10 feet or five times the length of the dog’s body as measured from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail, whichever length is greater; shall connect at both ends with a swivel and be affixed in such a manner that it will prevent the dog from becoming entangled or injured, shall weigh less than 1/10 of the dog’s weight; free from tangles; and shall restrain the dog from reaching hazards that pose a strangulation risk, and/or harm to other animals.

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Section 7. Dog Enclosure & Tethering Prohibitions.

1. A dog may not be tethered or confined to a dog enclosure during a weather alert or when outside weather conditions, including but not limited to extreme heat, cold, wind, rain, snow or hail, pose an adverse risk to the health or safety of a dog based on breed, age or physical condition.
2. A tethered dog, or dog confined to an enclosure, must have access to adequate food and must have continuous access to clean, fresh potable water and continuous access to shelter at all times, and, in addition, as set forth in Section 353 of the NYS Agriculture and Markets Law.
3. A tethered dog, or dog confined to an enclosure must have access to appropriate shelter that will allow the dog to remain dry and to be protected from the elements, in addition to complying with the requirements of § 353-b of New York State Agriculture and Markets Law, the shelter shall:

a. Be fully enclosed on all sides except one, which side shall have an opening that will allow the dog easy entry to and exit from the shelter; have a slanted, waterproof roof; and have a solid floor.

b. Contain clean bedding or straw/shavings, and must be insulated. If straw/shavings is used, it must be replaced at least once a month so that the dog can burrow into it for warmth.

c. Be small enough to retain the dog’s body heat and large enough to allow the dog to stand, lie down with limbs outstretched, and turn around comfortably.

d. Be in an area that is kept free of standing water, ice and waste.

4. In addition to the above requirements, all tethered dogs, or those confined to an enclosure must be free from cruel conditions or inhumane conditions at any time. For purposes of this section, “cruel conditions or inhumane conditions” shall include the following:

1. Exposing a dog to taunting, prodding, provoking, hitting, harassing, threatening or otherwise harming a tethered dog.
2. Exposing a dog to dangerous condition, such as exposure to animal waste, garbage, noxious odors or objects that could injure or kill a dog. This includes potential attacks by other animals.

Section 8. Exceptions.

1. A dog tethered in compliance with the requirements of a campground area shall be exempt from these regulations.
2. Tethering of a dog for less than fifteen (15) minutes in a public location shall be exempt from this local law.

Section 9. Enforcement; Penalty for Offenses:

1. This article shall be enforced by the local dog control or animal control officer, the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department, and may also be enforced by any constable, police officer, or any agent or officer of any duly incorporated society for the prevention of cruelty to animals with jurisdiction within the Town of Champlain.
2. A violation of any provisions of this law shall be subject to a civil penalty enforceable and collectable by the Town as follows:

1. First offense two hundred fifty dollars ($250), and/or an educational component at the judge’s discretion.
2. Second offense five hundred dollars ($500), and/or an educational component at the judge’s discretion.
3. Third offense and one thousand dollars ($1,000) and/or imprisonment for no more than (15) days, or both, surrender of the dog, if ordered by the court, and costs of investigation and prosecution.
4. All penalties shall be collected by and in the name of the Town of Champlain.
5. In addition to the civil penalties, the dog(s) may be seized under court order and all fees will be the responsibility of the owner(s).

Any person may file a complaint with an enforcement officer that a violation of this local law has taken place. The enforcement officer shall promptly record and investigate any such complaint and obtain the necessary supporting depositions. The enforcement officer shall submit the civil complaint and supporting depositions to a court of competent jurisdiction.