Zion, Illinois

Sec. 6-103. – Anti-tethering.

For purposes of this section, “tether” shall mean attaching a dog to a stationary object or pulley run by means of a chain, rope, tether, cable or similar restraint. “Tether” does not include the use of a leash to walk a dog.

Dogs shall not be tethered except under the following conditions:

(1) Only one dog may be tethered to each cable run.

(2) The tether 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 fingers may fit. Choke collars and pinch collars are prohibited for purposes of tethering a dog to a cable run.

(3) There must be a swivel on each end of the tether to minimize tangling of the tether.

(4) If a trolley system is used, it must be of appropriate configuration to confine the dog to the owner’s property.

(5) A person must not tether a dog under circumstances that endanger its health and safety, including:

a. Tethering a dog for longer than three hours in a 24-hour period;

b. Tethering that does not permit a dog’s access to suitable and sufficient food, clean water, dry ground, and appropriate shelter;

c. Tethering that does not allow a dog to defecate or urinate in an area separate from the area where it must eat, drink, or lie down;

d. Tethering under conditions where the dog or tether can become entangled on the tether or some other object or animal;

e. Tethering that causes injury to, strangles, or chokes the dog;

f. Tethering that does not permit the dog to escape harm; and

g. Tethering in an area which would pose a threat to public safety and health.

(6) “Cruelly tethers” means attaching a dog to a stationary object or a pulley by means of a chain, rope, tether, leash, cable, or similar restraint under circumstances that may endanger its health or safety. “Cruelly tethers” includes, but is not limited to, the use of a chain, rope, tether, leash, cable or similar restraint that exposes a dog to any of the conditions listed in subsection (5)a. through g. above. Failure to provide relief to a dog in distress when exposed to any of the conditions listed in subsection (5)a. through g. above is proof that the dog was cruelly tethered.

(7) No vicious or dangerous dog shall be tethered except if in a fully enclosed area bounded with a chain link or board on board fence at least six feet in height.

(8) In addition to any penalties provided for in the Illinois Animal Control Act, 510 ILCS 5/1 et seq., any person found guilty of violating this section shall be fined not less than $300.00 nor more than $1,000.00.