Tethering/Chaining
Collier County, Florida
September 2008
This ordinance prohibits the chaining of a dog with the exception of instances in which the dog is temporarily tethered under the supervision of the responsible party.
Sec. 14-34. – Inhumane treatment of animals.
(b) Any enclosure used as a primary means of confinement for a dog must meet the definition of proper enclosure as stated in Section 14-35 of this Article. It shall be unlawful for a responsible party to tether a dog while outdoors, except when all of the following conditions are met. This section shall not apply to the transportation of dogs:
- The dog is in visual range of the responsible party, and the responsible party is located outside with the dog.
- The tether is connected to the dog by a buckle-type collar or a body harness made of nylon or leather, not less than one inch in width.
- The tether has the following properties: It is at least five times the length of the dog’s body, as measured from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail; it terminates at both ends with a swivel; it does not weigh more than ⅛ of the dog’s weight; and it is free of tangles.
- The dog is tethered in such a manner as to prevent injury, strangulation, or entanglement.
- The dog is not outside during a period of extreme weather, including without limitation extreme heat or near-freezing temperatures, thunderstorms, tornadoes, tropical storms, or hurricanes.
- The dog has access to water, shelter, and dry ground.
- The dog is at least six months of age. Puppies shall not be tethered.
- The dog is not sick or injured.
- Pulley, running line, or trolley systems are at least 15 feet in length and are less than 7 feet above the ground.
- If there are multiple dogs, each dog is tethered separately.