Restraint; Tethering or Chaining of Dogs

Sec. 8-6. - Restraint; tethering or chaining of dogs. 

(a)  Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, it shall be unlawful for a person to restrain a dog with a chain or tether unless the person is holding the chain or tether.

(b)  The prohibition of subsection (a) of this section does not apply to a temporary restraint:

(1)  During a lawful animal event, such as walking on a leash, cleaning a dog pen, veterinary treatment, grooming, training or law enforcement activity; or

(2)  That is required to protect the safety or welfare of a person or the dog, if the dog's owner or handler remains with the dog throughout the period of restraint.

(c)  A person restraining a dog with a chain or tether shall attach the chain or tether to a properly fitting collar or harness worn by the dog. A person may not wrap a chain or tether directly around a dog's neck. A person may not restrain a dog with a chain or tether that weighs more than one-eighth of the dog's body weight. A chain or tether used to restrain a dog must, by design and placement, be unlikely to become entangled.

(d)  A person may not restrain a dog in a manner that does not allow the dog to have access to necessary shelter and water.

(e)  A person may not restrain a dog in a manner that allows the dog to move outside the person's property.

(Code 1961, § 4-7; Ord. No. 085-09, § 1, 7-27-2009)