Whitfield County, Georgia

Sec. 4-30. – Shelter/tethering requirements.

(a) Except as set forth specifically in subsections (b) and (c) herein below, any owner of a dog, as defined in section 4-1, shall ensure that such animal is not tethered, whether by chain, rope, leash, or the like, to any fixed object, including, but not limited to, any post, tree, fence, doghouse, rail, vehicle, or other structure. This prohibition against tethering shall apply whether such dog is within any structure, out of doors, or within a vehicle and whether such animal is located upon the owner’s property or otherwise.

(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a), provided that person not less than 18 years of age is present at the premises at all times, a dog may be tethered to a trolley system (or running cable line) for not more than eight hours per day.

(c) Notwithstanding subsection (a), a dog may be tethered temporarily, but only while the animal and its owner are immediately together with one another and provided the tether is attached to a properly-fitted harness or collar.

(d) The following are not permitted at any time when tethering a dog, regardless of whether the animal is attended by its owner or not:

(1) Use of a choke, prong, or similar collar;

(2) Wrapping the tether directly around the neck;

(3) Use of a tether that restricts the animal’s range of movement to less than the greater of five feet or one-and-one-half times the length of the animal’s body;

(4) Use of a tether that places any animal within any street, alley, sidewalk or other public place within the county or in a manner that allows any animal to access any portion of any street, alley, sidewalk or other public place;

(5) Confinement in an outside compartment of a vehicle while in operation.