August 1, 2016
This ordinance provides restrictions on tethering, including a minimum tether length and maximum tether weight, and it specifies types of collars and harnesses that can be used.
ARTICLE VII. ANIMAL WELFARE
Section 3: Animal Welfare
a. Owners must provide adequate food, shelter, and water as defined in Article I.
b. Tethering: It shall be unlawful for any person to restrain a dog using a chain, wire, or other type of tethering device in a manner prohibited by this subsection.
c. No person shall tether, fasten, chain, tie, or restrain a dog, or cause such restraining of a dog, to a cable trolley system, that allows movement of the restraining device. During periods of tethering that are not unlawful under this subsection, (1) the length of the cable along which the tethering device can move must be at least ten feet; (2) the tethering device must be of such length that the dog is able to move 15 feet away from the cable perpendicularly; and (3) the tethering device must be detached in such manner as to prevent strangulation or other injury to the dog and entanglement with objects. During periods of lawful tethering under this subsection, tethers must be made of rope, twine, cord, or similar material with a swivel on one end or must be made of a chain that is at least 10 feet in length with swivels on both ends and which does not exceed 10% of the dog’s body weight. All collars or harnesses used for the purpose of the lawful tethering of a dog must be made of nylon or leather. No person shall tether a dog with a chain or wire or other device to, or cause such attachment to, any collar other than a buckle type collar or body harness. No person shall tether with a chain, wire or other device to a dog where the weight of the tethering device and the collar combined exceeds 10% of the dog’s body weight. No person shall tether with a chain or wire or other device a dog in such a manner that does not allow the dog access to adequate food, water or shelter. No person shall tether a sick, diseased and/or injured dog.
