Citrus County, Florida

Sec. 14-53. – Limitations on tethering of animals.

(a) Definitions. Tether means to confine or restrain an animal by tying the animal to any stationary object or structure, including without limitation, a house, tree, fence, post, garage or shed, by any means including without limitation a chain, rope, cord, leash, cable or running line.

(b) Prohibitions.

(1) No person, owner, harborer or caretaker shall tether an animal unless such person is with the animal and the animal is at all times visible to such person.

(2) A tethered animal must be at least six months in age and free of illness and injury.

(3) The tether must be constructed of material that will not place the animal in danger of injury or death.

(4) The tether must be at least 20 feet in length and made of material sufficient in strength to prevent escape but that weighs no more than ⅛ of the weight of the animal.

(5) The tether shall allow the animal ingress and egress to adequate shelter.

(6) If a cable runner is used for tethering, the cable runner shall be at least 30 feet in length and the tether from the animal to the cable runner must be of sufficient length to maintain safety for the animal and allow the animal to move freely without entanglement on other stationary objects. If connected to a pulley, the running line must be at least 15 feet in length and less than seven feet above the ground.

(7) All animals tethered shall be fitted with a restraint that prevents strangulation. The tether shall be attached to a properly fitted buckle-style collar or buckle-style harness and may not be attached to a stationary object at a height higher than the animal’s neck in a standing position. The tether must swivel on both ends and be free of tangles.

(8) A leash or lead may not be attached directly to the animal’s neck in lieu of a manufactured collar or harness.

(9) Choke, chain, slip or prong type collars shall not be used on an animal when such animal is tethered.

(10) No animal may be tethered outside during extreme weather conditions, including but not limited to, extreme heat, freezing or near-freezing temperatures, during thunderstorms, lightning storms, tornado watches or warnings, or during tropical storm or hurricane watches or warnings.

(11) No tether may extend any closer than six feet from the perimeter fence or lot line.

(12) Multiple dogs must be tethered separately. Dogs may not share running lines or be near enough to each other that they may become entangled.

(13) No animal shall be tethered in such a manner that it has access to public property, easements, rights of way or the real property of another.

(14) When a tethered animal is transported in a pickup truck with a metal bed, the animal shall be provided protection from the metal bed.

(15) No tether shall extend over an object or edge in such a manner that could result in entanglement or strangulation of, or injury to, the animal.

(c) Maintenance of area in which animal is tethered.

(1) A tethered animal shall at all times have access to adequate food, adequate water and adequate shelter.

(2) The area in which the tethered animal is confined shall be clean and free of trash, standing water, waste material, junk, discarded material and vegetation that can entangle the animal. The area shall be regularly cleaned to remove animal waste, parasites, including fleas and ticks, and rodents.

(3) The area in which an animal is tethered shall include a shaded area, whether by natural or artificial means, large enough to provide shade to the animal(s) without crowding.

(4) Within the tethered area, structures with wire, grid, or slat floors which permit the animal’s feet to pass through openings, sag under the animal’s weight or which otherwise do not protect the animal’s feet or toes from injury are prohibited.

(d) Removal of improperly tethered animal.

(1) Any member of the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, whether or not officially designated as an animal control officer, shall have the authority and duty to use any means, including use of reasonable force, to enter any private or public property for the purpose of removing a tethered animal when, at the discretion of the officer present, the animal’s health and well-being are jeopardized as a result of a violation of the provisions of this section. The enforcement officer removing the animal shall deliver it to animal services for impoundment or to a veterinarian if the officer deems the animal is in distress.

(2) The enforcement officer shall post a notice in a prominent location at the property from which the animal was removed, bearing the name of the officer, the department’s name and phone number and the location where the animal may be claimed.

(3) The animal will not be returned to the owner until the owner is able to demonstrate that the animal will be kept in accordance with the provisions of this section.

(4) If the owner fails to demonstrate within five days of impoundment that the animal will be properly tethered, county shall seek an order to have the animal remanded to the custody of the county.