Volusia County, Florida

Sec. 14-39. – Tethering.

(a) No person shall tether an animal to a stationary or inanimate object as a means of confinement or restraint, unless such restraint is temporary and the person is within sight of the animal and the animal is at all times visible to such person.

(b) If a tether is used to temporarily restrain an animal, the tether shall be constructed of a material sufficient to restrain the animal, but may not place the animal in danger of injury or death. At no time shall the tether extend over an object or edge in such a manner that could result in strangulation, entanglement, or injury of or to the animal. Heavy chains, including, but not limited to, logging chains or vehicle tow chains, shall not be used to tether an animal. The addition of any weight to an animal’s collar, harness, chain, or tether is prohibited.

(c) If a tether is used to temporarily restrain multiple dogs, each dog must be on a separate tether, be tethered with sufficient space between the dogs to avoid any entanglements, and not be secured to the same fixed object.

(d) Any temporary tether shall be of a length and weight to allow an animal to move at least ten (10) feet in all directions from the point of tethering.

(e) Any temporary tether shall be attached to a properly fitted buckle-style collar or buckle-style harness sufficient to restrain the animal. The temporary tether must have an operative swivel attached to the collar or harness and shall not be attached to a stationary object at a height higher than the animal’s neck when in a standing position. The temporary tether must swivel on both ends and be free of tangles. A leash or lead, in lieu of a properly fitted buckle-style collar or buckle-style harness, shall not be attached directly to the neck of the animal when tethered. Choke, chain, slip, or prong-type collars shall not be used on an animal when tethered.

(f) Any tethered animals must be at least six (6) months of age and may not be sick, injured, in distress, or in the advanced stages of pregnancy.

(g) No tether may extend any closer than six (6) feet from the perimeter fence or lot line. If the tether is connected to a pulley, the running line must be at least fifteen (15) feet in length and less than seven (7) feet above the ground. If multiple animals are temporarily tethered, the animals shall be tethered separately with no sharing of running lines, or near enough to each other that the animals may become tangled.

(h) No animal shall be temporarily tethered so that the animal has access to public property, including easements and rights-of-way, or the property of another.

(i) No animal shall be tethered in a manner that results in the animal being left in unsafe or unsanitary conditions or that forces the animal to sit, stand, or lie down in its own excrement or urine.

(j) When a dog or cat is transported in the bed of a vehicle, the dog or cat shall be safely and properly transported in a box, kennel, crate, or similar enclosure specifically designed for transporting dogs or cats and the transportation enclosure must be secured to the vehicle bed so that it does not move during transport. Dogs and cats shall not be transported in the open bed of a vehicle unrestrained.

(k) No animal shall be tethered during a natural disaster or weather related Governor Declared State of Emergency or Local State of Emergency regardless of whether a person is within sight of the animal or the animal is at all times visible to such person.

(l) The provisions of this Section do not apply to a dog that is:

(1) Tethered temporarily while it is receiving medical care or treatment under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian or is being groomed.

(2) Participating temporarily in an exhibition, show, contest, or other event in which the skill, breeding, or stamina of the dog is judged or examined. However, such dogs at all other times in all other respects shall be subject to this and other ordinances.

(3) Being kept temporarily at a camping or recreation area.

(4) Being trained or used by a Federal, State, or local law enforcement agency, or military or National Guard unit.

(5) A hunting dog when engaged in any legal hunting activity or training procedure. However, such dogs at all other times in all other respects shall be subject to this and other ordinances.