Pueblo, Colorado

Sec. 11-4-21. Cruelty to animals; humane care.

(d) It is a finding of the City that tethering an animal leads to under-socialization and greater aggression in an animal, threatening public health and safety. Therefore, it shall be unlawful to tether an animal for a cumulative total of more than four (4) hours in any twenty-four (24) hour period or to otherwise fail to meet the requirements of this Section. It shall be unlawful to tether an animal for a cumulative total of more than thirty (30) minutes where the weather is detrimental to the health and safety of the animal, including, but not limited to, temperatures of ninety (90) degrees or over, or temperatures of forty (40) degrees or lower. Animals shall not be tethered outside during persistent rain, sleet, hail, or snow, or other dangerous conditions. It shall be unlawful to tether an animal in such a way that the animal presents a substantial risk of hanging or injuring itself, including through entanglement in dangerous debris. An Animal Control Officer or other peace officer observing and recording the tethered animal at least once an hour shall create the rebuttable presumption that the animal was tethered in between said observations. For the purpose of tethering a dog, a chain, leash, rope, or other tether shall be at least ten (10) feet long. However, the tether may be shorter to, and must in all cases, restrict the dog and keep it at least six (6) feet from the property line or any public sidewalk or right-of-way. It shall be unlawful to use a tether that is excessively heavy and endangers the health of an animal. Violation of this Subsection shall constitute cruelty to the animal and be a Class 1 municipal offense.