2016
Fixed point tethering is prohibited unless the owner is in immediate proximity for a temporary task, but tethering on a trolley system is allowed under certain conditions.
Sec. 8-291. – Tethering restrictions.
(a) Tethering of dogs and cats as a primary means of confinement is prohibited.
(1) A single, stationary tethering system may be used as a temporary means of confinement while an animal is actively participating in or attending an organized show, field’s trail, agility event, herding contest, or other similar exposition or event of a limited duration that involves the judging or evaluation of animals.
(2) A single, stationary tethering system may also be used on an owner’s property as a temporary means of confinement while the owner/occupant is present at the residence if the animal being temporarily confined has free and unimpeded access to shelter, food, and water.
(b) Animals secured to a single, temporary, stationary tethering system shall not be allowed to be within 15 feet of any sidewalk, street, driveway, front door, or any other passageway used for deliveries or by the public.
(c) In the event an animal is temporarily tethered as allowed by this section, the tethering system shall be of a screw in, spiral anchor ground stake type no less than 12 inches in length. Furthermore, the tether and anchor must have a swivel on both ends.
(d) Pinch, prong, or choke type collars of any kind shall not be used as a collar on a dog that is being kept on a tether, trolley system, [or] leash while walking the animal or while temporarily at a field or trial show.
(1) All collars used must be 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.
(e) Neither a chain nor a heavy braided nylon rope may be used to secure an animal in any way.
(f) Temporary tethering system leads must be a plastic coated airplane type cable or its equivalent.
(g) Tethering shall not be construed to mean including a leash or lead to walk an animal.
(h) This section shall not apply to law enforcement K-9s.
Sec. 8-292. – Trolley system.
Fastening a dog to a trolley system is permissible if under these circumstances:
(1) The primary usable trolley runner line must be suspended at least three feet above the animals head while the animal is standing with at least ten feet in length between two pulley stop points.
(2) The secondary line, attached to the animal, shall have a rolling trolley freely movable a distance of at least ten feet on the primary trolley line.
(3) The trolley system shall allow the animal unrestricted body movement and utilization of the entire area designated by the trolley system, with a minimum of five feet lateral movement for the animal on each side of the primary trolley line, as measured on the ground.
(4) The trolley system must allow the animal free access to food, water, and shelter.
(5) The trolley system must be of appropriate configuration to prevent escape of the animal, and confine the animal to the owner’s property.
(6) The primary trolley line shall be used to restrain only one animal at a time.
(7) The dog shall not be fastened outside to a trolley system during a period of extreme weather, including but not limited to, extreme heat or near-freezing temperatures, thunderstorms, or tornadoes.
(8) No person shall fasten any dog outside to a trolley system unless the animal has been spayed/neutered. An animal control officer or police officer of the city, upon seeing an animal attached to a trolley system, may enter the open property to view the animal to determine whether or not it is spayed/neutered.
(9) No dog secured to a trolley system shall be allowed to be within 15 feet of any sidewalk, street, driveway, front door, or any other passageway used for deliveries or by the public
(10) Pinch, prong or choke type collars of any kind shall not be used as a collar on a dog that is being kept on a trolley system.
(11) All dogs attached to a trolley system must be secured via a properly fitted, buckle-type collar or body harness of a size appropriate for the animal.
(12) All collars and harnesses used must be 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.
(13) The trolley system must allow emergency services personnel (e.g., police and fire department) free and unimpeded access to the front door of the residence.
(14) The minimum requirements of a trolley system as defined by this chapter are as follows: Round, steel painted poles able to maintain a clean painted surface, of at least a three-inch inside diameter having between 3/16 and 1/4 wall thickness, screw eyes double nutted on the opposite side of the eye to secure the primary trolley runner line, permanently attached caps at the top of the poles to prevent insect infestation and each pole being permanently secured into the ground using a concrete mixture and having been buried no less than 24 inches in depth.
