Tethering/Chaining
Frederick County, Maryland
§ 1-5-26. PROPER RESTRAINT, SHELTER, PROTECTION AND CARE FOR DOGS.
- Restraint requirement.
(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to tether, fasten, chain, tie, restrain or cause a dog to be fastened, chained, tied or restrained to any stationary or inanimate object by means of a rope, chain, strap or other physical restraint for the purpose of confinement for more than four hours, cumulatively in any 24-hour period.
(2) The dog must be tethered by a non-choke type collar or a body harness to a tether that is at least four times the body length of the dog, measured from the dog’s nose to the back of the hindquarters, or at a minimum be ten feet in length, and which the tether is free from entanglement.
(3) The tether shall have swivels at both ends and all areas of confinement shall be maintained as to provide a safe and healthy environment for the dog.
(4) An individual found chaining or tethering an animal in violation of this section has 30 days to provide other means of confinement, as long as other conditions of confinement and care are being met. The grace period is null and void immediately if the owner, at any time during the grace period, is not in compliance with other applicable laws relating to animals.
(5) Individuals who do not comply within the 30-day grace period are subject to fines and penalties stipulated in this chapter.
