Crestview, Florida

Sec. 10-9. – Humane treatment for companion animals.

(b) Except as provided herein and in section 10-27(b) no person shall restrain a dog by means of tethering, fastening, chaining, or tying to a doghouse, tree, fence, or any other stationary object.

(c) Notwithstanding subsection (b), a person may tether a dog when it is in visual range of the owner, and the owner is located outside with the tethered animal.

(d) In all cases where tethering is permissible, the following conditions must be met:

(1) The dog must be attached to the tether by a buckle-type collar or a body harness. A dog shall not be tethered by means of a choke-type, pinch-type, prong-type, or improperly fitting collar;

(2) The tether has the following properties: It is at least five times the length of the tethered animal’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 one-eighth of the tethered animal’s weight; and it is free of tangles;

(3) The dog is tethered in such a manner as to prevent injury, strangulation, or entanglement;

(4) If there are multiple dogs, each one must be tethered separately. The tethering of each dog must be in accordance with the requirements of this Code;

(5) 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;

(6) The dog has continuous access to water, adequate shelter, and dry ground;

(7) The dog is at least six months of age. Puppies shall not be tethered; and

(8) The dog is not sick or injured.