December 10, 2020
This ordinance restricts conditions for legal tethering, including banning tethering during extreme heat or cold or when a female is in heat.
Sec. 4-6. – Cruelty to animals; penalty.
(h) Any person who confines a canine or canine crossbreed outside of a fully enclosed structure on any property by chain or tether to a trolley system, ground stake or other fixed object without the owner or other adult capable of controlling the animal being physically present with and directly supervising the animal at all times in any one (1) of the following circumstances shall be liable upon conviction to a civil penalty as set forth in section 4-28 of this chapter:
(1) When such animal is not at least six (6) months old; or
(2) When such animal is female and in estrus; or
(3) When such animal is not safe from predators and well suited and well equipped to tolerate its environment; or
(4) During the effective period for a hurricane warning or tropical storm warning issued for the area by the National Weather Service; or
(5) During a heat advisory issued by a local or state authority unless the animal warden, having inspected the animal’s individual circumstances, has determined the animal to be safe from predators and well suited and well equipped to tolerate its environment; or
(6) When the outdoor temperature is less than thirty-two (32) degrees Fahrenheit or greater than eight-five (85) degrees Fahrenheit unless the animal warden, having inspected the animal’s individual circumstances, has determined the animal to be safe from predators and well suited and well equipped to tolerate its environment; or
(7) During the effective period for a severe weather warning issued for the area by the National Weather Service, including a winter storm, tornado, or severe thunderstorm warning unless the animal warden, having inspected the animal’s individual circumstances, has determined the animal to be safe from predators and well suited and well equipped to tolerate its environment.
