Tethering/Chaining
Springdale, Arkansas
April 13, 2010
Dogs may not be tethered to stationary objects but may be restrained on a trolley or pulley system if certain requirements are met.
Sec. 14-36. Tethering animals prohibited.
Direct-point chaining or tethering of dogs to a stationary object is prohibited. Dogs may be restrained by means of a trolley system, or a tether attached to a pulley on a cable run, if the following conditions are met:
(1) Only one dog may be tethered to each cable run.
(2) The tether must be attached to a properly fitting collar or harness worn by the dog, with enough room between the collar and the dog’s throat through which two fingers may fit. Choke collars and pinch collars are prohibited for purposes of tethering a dog to a cable run.
(3) There must be a swivel on at least one end of the tether to minimize tangling of the tether.
(4) The tether and cable run must be of adequate size and strength to effectively restrain the dog. The size and weight of the tether must not be excessive, as determined by the animal services officer, considering the age, size and health of the dog.
(5) The cable run must be at least ten feet in length and mounted at least four feet and no more than seven feet above ground level.
(6) The length of the tether from the cable run to the dog’s collar should allow access to the maximum available exercise area and should allow continuous access to water and shelter. The trolley system must be of appropriate configuration to confine the dog to the owner’s property, to prevent the tether from extending over an object or an edge that could result in injury or strangulation of the dog, and to prevent the tether from becoming entangled with other objects or animals.