Tarpon Springs, Florida

§4-5. – TETHERING OF DOGS.

(a) It is unlawful for any person to continuously tether or picket a dog for longer than one continuous hour except that picketing or tethering of the same dog may resume after a hiatus of three continuous hours after the dog was last tethered or picketed, but no dog shall be tethered or picketed more than three times in any twenty-four hour period.

(b) No dog shall be tethered or picketed in extreme weather or under conditions that expose the dog to unreasonable risk of danger or harm.

(c) The tether, leash, chain, or rope of a tethered or picketed dog shall be at least three times the length of the dog’s body and shall allow the dog reasonable movement, but shall not be long enough to reach right-of-way.

(d) The tether, leash, chain, rope, collaring device, and any assembly or attachments thereto, used to tether or picket a dog shall not weigh more than one-eighth the weight of the dog or, due to weight, inhibit the free movement of the dog.

(e) Dogs shall be tethered or picketed in such a manner as to prevent injury, strangulation, or entanglement on fences, trees, shrubs, or other man made or natural objects.

(f) It is unlawful to attach a tether, leash, chain, rope, or other tether restraint implements directly to a dog without the proper use of a collar, harness, or other device designed for that purpose. Such collar, harness, or other device must be made from a material and used in a fashion that prevents injury to the dog. Pinch or choke collars may not be used to tether or picket a dog.

(g) A person violating this ordinance the first time shall be given a written warning. Subsequent violations shall be punishable as a fine of the following class under the Uniform Fine Schedule for Local Ordinance Violations adopted by the Circuit Court for the Sixth Judicial Circuit in and for Pasco and Pinellas Counties

Second violation… Class III fine

Third violation… Class II fine

Fourth and subsequent violation… Class I fine

Each day that a violation of this ordinance continues or occurs shall constitute a separate offense.