Seminole County, Florida

March 22, 2011

Dogs may be tethered only under certain conditions during certain hours of the day.

Sec. 20.39 Use of a fixed-point restraining device

(a) A fixed-point restraining device is hereby defined as a trolley system, chain, cord, leash, cable, or similar device which is attached to one or more fixed points to include, without limitation, a house, tree, fence, post, garage or shed, used to confine a dog or cat to the owner’s property and designed to be used for such purposes. The device shall be a minimum length of ten (10) feet in length and shall be no longer than what is necessary to keep such dog or cat confined to the owner’s property.

(b) A fixed-point restraining device shall not be used to confine a dog or cat outdoors between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., except as provided herein. A dog or cat may be attached to a fixed-point restraining device for a period of time not to exceed one (1) hour per day, and shall be directly supervised and accompanied by the owner outside for the duration of the time the dog or cat is attached to the fixed-point restraining device.

(c) The use of a fixed-point restraining device between 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. may be allowed as provided herein.

(1) The fixed-point restraining device shall be a minimum of ten (10) feet in length and shall be placed in a location which keeps such dog or cat confined exclusively to the owner’s property.

(2) The fixed-point restraining device shall be used in conjunction with an appropriate collar or harness designed for use with the specific size of dog or cat. Pinch, choke, and/or pronged type collars shall not be used when restraining a dog or cat in this manner.

(3) The fixed-point restraining device shall be placed in a manner as to prevent injury, strangulation or entanglement.

(4) If there are multiple dogs or cats, each shall be confined separately and in such a manner the fixed-point restraining device shall not become entangled with each other.

(d) It shall be unlawful to use a fixed-point restraining device to confine any dog or cat under the age of six (6) months.

(e) During any time of severe weather, the use of a fixed-point restraining device to secure a dog or cat onto the owner’s property is strictly prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, lightning storms, tornado warnings, hurricane warnings, heat index above ninety degrees (90°) Fahrenheit, temperatures below thirty-two degrees (32°) Fahrenheit.