Dogs may not be tethered to a fixed point for longer than four hours. Tethering on a trolley system is permitted.
Sec. 4. Tethering dogs and other animals.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to tie or tether a dog or other animal to a stationary object so as to create an unhealthy situation for the animal or a potentially dangerous situation for a pedestrian as determined by an Animal Control Officer.
(b) The terms “unhealthy situation” and “potentially dangerous situation” shall include, but not be limited to the following:
(1) Tether, fasten, chain, tie, or restrain a dog, or cause a dog to be tethered, fastened, chained, tied, or restrained, to a dog house, tree, fence, or any other stationary object for longer than 4 hours;
(2) Tether any animal in such a manner as to permit the animal to leave the owner’s property;
(3) Tether any companion animal in a manner whereby the animal is subject to harassment and perpetual stings or bites that show evidence of injury from outdoor insects, or attacks by other animals;
(4) Failure to remove waste from the tethered area on a daily basis;
(5) Allow more than one animal to be tethered to each running cable or trolley line.
(6) Use a tether that weighs more than one eighth (1/8) of the animal’s body weight.
(7) Use a running cable line or trolley system that is made of a substance which can be chewed by the animal;
(8) Not allow the length of the tether from the running cable line or trolley system to the animal’s collar and prohibit access to the maximum available exercise area and allow the animal free access to food, water, and shelter;
(9) Not be attached to a properly fitted harness or collar not used for the display of a current rabies tag and other identification, and;
(10) Not be tethered at sufficient distance from any other objects to prohibit the tangling of the cable, from extending over an object or an edge that could result in injury of strangulation of the animal and be of sufficient distance from any fence so as to prohibit the animal access to the fence.
(c) A person may do any of the following provided the dog does not become a nuisance to neighbors:
(1) Attach a dog to a running line, pulley, or trolley system. A dog shall not be tethered to the running line, pulley, or trolley system by means of a choke collar or pinch collar.
(2) Tether, fasten, tie, or otherwise restrain a dog pursuant to the requirements of a recreational area.
(3) Tether, fasten, or tie a dog no longer than is necessary for the person to complete a temporary task that requires the dog to be restrained for a reasonable period.
(4) Tether, fasten, or tie a dog while engaged in, or actively training for, an activity that is conducted pursuant to a valid license issued by the State of Tennessee if the activity for which the license is issued is associated with the use or presence of a dog.
