Clay County, Florida

Sec. 4-23. – Animal cruelty, animal neglect, and tethering.

(c) Tethering. It is unlawful for any person to tether any animal to a stationary object while outdoors, except as permitted in subsection (1) below.

(1) An exception to the tethering prohibition is permitted for dogs only, and only if all of the following conditions are met:

a. The dog is in visible range of the owner or keeper, which person must also be outside with the dog at all times;

b. The tether must be constructed of material sufficient to restrain the dog, but also not place the dog in danger of injury or death. The tether shall not weigh more than one-eighth (⅛) of the dog’s body weight. A tethered dog must wear a harness properly fitted to the dog which harness is attached to the tether. The tether may not be attached to a chain or collar, padlock, or other device around the neck of the dog. When a violation of this provision occurs, an animal control officer is authorized to take reasonable measures to remove the dog from the tether and take the dog and tether to an animal services facility;

c. The tether shall be at least long enough to allow the dog to move ten (10) feet in all directions from the point of tethering. The tether must have operative swivels on both ends and be attached to an elevated line connected to two (2) stationary points not less than fifteen (15) feet apart and sufficient to hold the dog without breaking or coming loose;

d. The dog may not be tethered outside during a period of extreme weather, including, but not limited to, extreme heat or in conditions not acceptable for the age and breed of a dog;

e. The dog, while restrained by tether, must be able to access adequate clean fresh water and sufficient wholesome food;

f. The dog must be at least one (1) year of age or older, not sick or injured, not pregnant, and not whelping;

g. Every dog must be tethered separately with its own tether if applicable, with each complying with all provisions herein, plus a dog must not be able to tangle its tether with any other animal on the property;

h. No dog’s tether may extend any closer than five (5) feet from the perimeter fence or lot line;

i. The tether shall not be attached to a stationary object or trolley at a point or location that would allow the dog to extend the tether over a fence or other object or edge in such manner that could result in the strangulation of or injury to the dog;

j. The foregoing provisions regarding tethering do not apply to a lawful animal event, veterinarian treatment, grooming, training, law enforcement, dogs that are engaging in conduct directly related to the business of shepherding or herding cattle or livestock or related to the business of cultivating agricultural products and tethering is reasonably necessary for the dog’s safety, or dogs that are being lawfully used to actively hunt a species of wildlife during the hunting season for that species of wildlife; and

k. In the interest of public safety, animal control officers and/or law enforcement officers are authorized to remove dogs presenting in a demeanor of attack or presenting a public safety risk from tethers and impound such dogs where the dog is accessible by children or the public without a secured fence or enclosure.