May 12, 2015
Dogs may not be tethered for longer than nine hours within a 24-hour period. No animal may be tethered outside during extreme weather. Dogs who are under 6 months of age, sick, injured, or in distress may not be tethered or penned.
§ 97-20 Keeping and control off domesticated pets.
Chaining or tethering of dogs.
D. (1) Dogs must be able to move freely when chained or tethered and shall be so confined for a period no greater than nine hours within a twenty-four-hour period. The size of the tether or chain must be a minimum of 15 linear feet and shall remain tangle-free. Dogs must be equipped with properly fitted harness or buckle-type collars. The tether or chain shall be constructed of lightweight cable not weighing more than 1/16 of the animal’s weight. A doghouse shall be accessible to dogs that are chained or tethered. Tethered animals shall have access to potable water, food, shelter and dry ground at all times.
(2) No animal shall remain outdoors, tethered, untethered or penned during a period of extreme weather, including but not limited to extreme heat (above 90°), extreme cold (below 32°), thunderstorms, tornadoes, tropical storms, or hurricanes.
(3) In no instance shall an animal remain outdoors, tethered, untethered or penned, under the age of six months old, or while sick, injured or in distress.
