May 18, 2011
Dogs may not be tethered for longer than eight hours in any 24-hour period, and they may be tethered only when certain conditions are met.
Section 11-18. Prolonged Chaining, Tethering, and Confinement of Dogs
a. Prolonged Chaining or Tethering of Dogs. No person owning or keeping a dog in the City shall chain or tether a dog for longer than 8 continuous hours during any twenty-four hour period. Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting a person from walking a dog on a hand-held leash. It shall be lawful for a responsible party to tether a dog while outdoors when all of the following conditions are met:
- The dog must be wearing a suitable collar (no pinch collars) when connected to the tether.
- The tether must be appropriate to the age and size of the dog and be long enough to allow the dog ample movement.
- 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. Arctic breeds and other dogs with a double-layered coat, bred to live in an arctic climate, may be out in suitable freezing temperatures.
- The dog is always within reach of drinking water and has access to dry ground.
- The dog is not sick or injured.
- If there are multiple dogs, each dog is tethered separately.
