February, 2007
This ordinance prohibits tethering that causes an animal injury or pain or creates an unsafe environment. It also prohibits tethering without the use of a pulley/trolley system or in an area that may result in entanglement. It requires the sanitary removal of waste and defines a maximum allowable tether weight.
Section 3.102 Tethering of animals: A person commits an offense if he tethers, chains or otherwise secures an animal by or under any of the following methods or circumstances:
1) To tether an animal in such a way that it is capable of moving within 15 feet of any public right of way, park, or other public land, including sidewalks, or within five (5) feet of any privately or commercially owned property line when such tether or line is stretched to its full length;
2) To tether any animal in such a manner as to cause the animal injury or pain or not to permit the animal to reach shelter, food and or water or otherwise create an unsafe or unhealthy situation;
3) To tether any animal in such a manner as to permit the animal to leave the owner’s property;
4) To tether any animal in a manner whereby the animal is subject to harassment, stings or bites from outdoor insects, or attacks by other animals;
5) To tether any animal with a tether that is not equipped with swivel ends and which is not also attached to a pulley or a trolley;
6) To tether any animal in such a manner that does not prevent the animal from becoming entangled with any obstruction, from partially or totally jumping any fence, or from leaving its owner’s property;
7) To fail to remove waste from the area within which the animal is tethered on a reasonable basis so as to avoid a health hazard;
8) To tether any animal without using a properly fitted collar or harness which prevents the tether from being directly wrapped around the animal’s neck;
9) To tether with a choke-type collar of any sort;
10) To use a tether which weighs more than 1/8 of the animal’s body weight.
