(a) Purpose, Applicability. The standards set forth in this section are meant to supplement, not replace or conflict with, the requirements and prohibitions found in Section 505.01.
(b) “Tether" means a rope, chain, cord, or similar restraint attached from a fixed point to a dog's collar or elsewhere on a dog, for the purpose of holding the dog in place, which in effect creates a fixed area in which the dog can move about, the radius of which is the length of the tether.
(c) No owner, keeper, or harborer shall allow a dog to be tethered:
(1) For more than six (6) hours in a twenty-four (24) hour period;
(2) Between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.;
(3) When no owner, keeper, or harborer of the dog is present on the premises; or
(4) In any area where there is an accumulation of feces or other waste, insect infestation, rodent infestation, foul odor, or another unsanitary or dangerous condition within the radius of the tether.
(d) No owner, keeper, or harborer of a dog shall use any of the following types of tethers for the dog:
(1) A tether of less than ten (10) feet in length, or less than four (4) times the length of the dog's body from tip of nose to base of tail, whichever is greater;
(2) A tether the length of which allows the dog to cross the property line of the property on which it is tethered;
(3) A tether that causes injury or pain to the dog because of the material of which it is made or because of the size or weight of the tether; generally, a tether should not weigh more than one-eighth (1/8) of a dog's body weight.
(e) No owner, keeper, or harborer of a dog shall tether the dog:
(1) By attaching the tether to the dog by means of a choke chain collar, pinch collar, or prong collar, as the collars are defined by the Humane Society of the United States;
(2) By attaching the tether to a collar that is not properly fitted;
(3) In an area likely to cause injury or pain to the dog because of entanglement; or
(4) In an area likely to cause injury or pain to the dog because of surrounding structures.
(f) Penalty. Whoever violates this section shall be guilty of a minor misdemeanor for a first offense and a misdemeanor of the fourth degree for each subsequent offense.
(Ord. 2018-15. Passed 9-26-18.)