Okeechobee County, Florida

Sec. 10-25. – Tethering requirements; exceptions.

It shall be unlawful for any owner or person in possession of an animal and who confines the animal outdoors on private property to tie, chain, or otherwise tether an animal that is under the age of six months. It shall be unlawful to tie, chain, or otherwise tether an animal for longer than four hours at any time or for more than eight hours in a 24-hour period. Further, it shall be unlawful for any owner or person in possession of an animal and who confines the animal outdoors on private property to tie, chain, or otherwise tether an animal that is over the age of six months except when the following conditions are met:

(1) The animal is in the visual range of the responsible party, or the responsible party is located outdoors with the animal;

(2) The tether shall:

a. Be a minimum of ten feet in length or at least five times the length of the animal;

b. Terminate at both ends with a swivel;

c. Not weigh more than 1/16 of the animal’s weight; and

d. Be fastened on one end to an overhead pulley/running line.

(3) The overhead pulley/running line shall:

a. Be at least 15 feet in length; and

b. Be no less than five feet abo-ye the ground; and

c. Be secured on each end to a fixed location.

(4) The tether must be fastened on one end to a properly fitting body harness or buckle-type collar made of nylon or leather and must not be a prong or choke collar;

(5) The tether shall be free from entanglement or other obstructions at all times;

(6) The animal shall have access to potable water, shelter and dry ground at all times;

(7) An animal shall not be tethered while sick, injured or in distress;

(8) An animal shall not be tethered outside during a period of severe weather, including, but not limited to, tornadoes, tropical storms, or hurricanes; and

(9) Multiple animals must be tethered separately.