Orange Park, Florida

Sec. 10-32. – Restraint of animals by means of tethering.

(a) As used in this section:

Tethering means the act of restraining an animal with a rope, chain or similar means, so as to restrict its movement.

(b) No person shall tether, fasten, chain, tie or restrain an animal, or cause an animal to be tethered, fastened, chained, tied or restrained, to a dog house, tree, fence or any other stationary object unless the tethered animal is in visual range of the animal’s owner, and the owner is located outside with the tethered animal.

(c) Notwithstanding subsection (b), a person may tether an animal so long as the following conditions are met:

(1) The tether is constructed of material sufficient to restrain the animal, but also not place the animal in danger of injury or death. The animal must be attached to the tether by a buckle-type collar or a body harness. An animal shall not be tethered by means of a choke-type, pinch-type, prong-type or improperly fitting collar.

(2) The tether shall be at least long enough to allow the animal to move ten feet in all directions from the point of tethering. The tether must have operative swivels on both ends and sufficient to hold the animal without breaking or coming loose.

(3) The animal may not be tethered outside during a period of extreme weather, including, but not limited to, extreme heat, near freezing temperatures, thunderstorms and conditions not acceptable for the age and breed of the animal.

(4) The animal must be at least one year of age or older, not sick, starving, or injured, not pregnant and not whelping.

(5) Every animal must be tethered separately with its own runner/pulley if applicable, with each complying with all provisions herein. Every animal must not be able to tangle its tether with any other animal on the property.

(6) No animal on a tether may extend any closer than five feet from the perimeter fence or lot line of the property on which the tether is located.

(7) The animal, while restrained by the tether, must have access to adequate clean water, food, shelter and dry ground.