Portsmouth, Virginia

Sec. 4-9. – Standards for keeping animals and household pets; harboring stray animals.

(e) When an animal is tethered, “adequate space” means a tether that permits the above actions and is appropriate to the age and size of the animal. The tether must be attached to the animal by a properly applied collar, halter, or harness configured so as to protect the animal from injury and prevent the animal or the tether from becoming entangled with other objects or animals, or from extending over an object or edge that could result in the strangulation or injury of the animal. For dogs, the tether must be at least three times the length of the dog, as measured from the tip of its nose to the base of its tail, except when the dog is being walked on a leash or is attached by a tether to a lead line. When freedom of movement would endanger the animal, temporarily and appropriately restricting movement of the animal according to professionally accepted standards is considered to be provision of adequate space.

(f) It shall be unlawful to tether a dog or to leave a dog tethered unless the dog is attended at all times. For purposes of this section, a dog is attended only if the owner is both outdoors with the dog and within 35 feet of the dog.