(A) RESTRAINT shall mean, but not be limited to, confined to the premises of the owner; or, if off of the premises of the owner, confined by means of a lead, leash, or pet carrier and under the control of a responsible person.
(B) (1) Any tethering system employed in place of an enclosure shall not allow the animal to leave the owner’s property.
(2) The tether may not be made of a rope, twine, cord, or similar material that can easily be cut or chewed through; any tethering system shall not be acceptable for any animal declared dangerous.
(C) (1) Dogs may only be tethered using an overhead trolley, zip line, or running line system, and must have access to shelter, shade, and water.
(2) Cats are not allowed to be tethered.
(D) (1) Tethers must be attached to a properly fitting collar or harness worn by the animal. Tethers may not be wrapped around an animal’s neck or body to replace a collar or harness.
(2) All tethering devices must have a swivel device on the anchor and collar or harness end to prevent tangling.
(E) (1) All collars and harnesses used for the purpose of tethering an animal must be made of nylon, leather, or other durable and non-metallic material and be specifically designed for the restraint of animals.
(2) A chain, choke, pinch, prong collar, or head halter shall not be utilized for tethering purposes.
(3) The use of properly fitted head halters shall not apply to equine and livestock.
(F) All collars or harnesses must be checked regularly for proper fit to avoid causing injury or becoming embedded into the animal’s body.
(G) Tethers must be at least six feet in length or at least three times the length of the animal.
(H) No tether shall weigh more than one-eighth of the animals’ body weight.
(I) No dog shall be tethered that has not been spayed or neutered.
(J) No dog under six months of age shall be tethered.
(K) (1) No person shall tether a dog to a fixed point, such as a building, shelter, tree, enclosure, or other stationary object, unless tethering is for a duration of no longer than 15 minutes.
(2) A person may temporarily tether a dog to a fixed point to complete a temporary task, such as, but not limited to: vacuuming; mopping floors; or moving furniture, so long as the person is located on the same physical property as the tethered dog.
(L) If one or more animals at a residence have required a response from an animal control officer to untangle tethers more than two times in a 12-month period, it shall be a violation of this section, and the animals may be impounded.
(M) In addition to the requirements above, under this definition, RESTRAINT FOR EQUINES, LIVESTOCK, AND POULTRY shall mean as follows.
(1) (a) All equine and livestock shall be confined by an enclosure in good repair or construction sufficient to prevent the animal from leaving the owner’s property.
(b) Equine and livestock found on property, but not restrained by a tether or an enclosure in good repair or sufficient construction, may be impounded at the owner’s expense, and the owner charged with a violation of this chapter.
(2) All poultry should be kept in an enclosure of sufficient height and construction to prevent the animal from leaving the enclosure; and provide a safe environment from predators.
(a) Poultry may not be tethered. Poultry found on properly, but not restrained by an enclosure, may be impounded at the owner’s expense, and the owner charged with a violation of this chapter, unless under the direct supervision of the owner to prevent poultry from leaving the owner’s property.
(b) All poultry must be provided with access to shelter and a shaded area.
(Ord. 2015-14, passed 12-1-2015) Penalty, see § 93.999