June 13, 2018
Dogs may not be tethered for more than 30 consecutive minutes and only under certain conditions.
Sec. 91.62. – Confinement of dogs.
(A) Except as otherwise limited by Section 91.50 of the Revised Code of General Ordinances, dogs may be considered to be secure on the premises of the owner for the purpose of complying with Section 91.50 if they are enclosed or tethered on the property of such owner.
(B) No person owning, keeping, possessing, harboring, maintaining, or having the care, custody, or control of a dog shall suffer or permit such dog to be tethered unless all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The tethered dog must not be tethered for more than 30 consecutive minutes.
(2) The dog must be tethered to a trolley or pulley on a cable run or to a fixed point.
(3) Only one dog may be tethered to each cable run or fixed point.
(4) The line from the cable run or fixed point must be attached to a properly fitting collar or harness worn by the dog, with enough room between the collar and the dog’s throat through which two adult human fingers may fit. The use of choke collars, prong collars, and pinch collars are prohibited when a dog is tethered.
(5) The line connecting the tethered dog to the cable run or fixed point must have swivels on both ends.
(6) The line connecting the tethered dog to the cable run or fixed point must be of adequate size and strength to effectively restrain the tethered dog. However, the line shall weigh no more than one-eighth of the tethered dog’s weight.
(7) Unless the tethered dog is a dangerous dog under section 955.11 of the Ohio Revised Code, the line connecting the tethered dog to the cable run or fixed point must be at least ten feet in length or three times the length of the dog as measured from the tip of its nose to the base of its tail, whichever is longer. If not attached to a fixed point, the dog must be tethered to a trolley or pulley on a cable run which is at least 15 feet in length and mounted no more than seven feet above the ground. If the tethered dog is a dangerous dog, that dog shall be kept in compliance with all of the requirements found in section 955.22 of the Ohio Revised Code.
(8) The dog shall be tethered at such a distance from all other objects so as to
(a) Prevent tangling or wrapping of the line,
(b) Prevent extending the line over any object that could result in strangulation,
(c) Prohibit the dog access to any other premises, and
(d) Prohibit the dog access to any fence.
(9) The tethered dog shall have continuous access to water and shelter.
(C) No person owning, keeping, possessing, harboring, maintaining, or having the care, custody, or control of a dog shall suffer or permit such dog to be enclosed unless all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The area of the pen or fenced yard must be a minimum of 150 square feet per enclosed dog.
(2) The pen or fence shall be of sufficient height to prevent the dog from escaping from the enclosed area.
(3) If the enclosed area has a cover, such cover must be at least two feet above the height of the dog standing on its hind legs.
(4) The enclosed dog shall have continuous access to water and shelter.
