Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, a person may tether and restrain a dog under the following circumstances:
(A) Usage of the dog in shepherding or herding livestock;
(B) Use of the dog in the business of cultivating agricultural products, where the restraining is reasonably necessary for the safety of the dog;
(C) Use of the dog in lawful hunting activities;
(D) Use of the dog at a dog training, or performance events, including but not limited to the field trials and obedience trials where tethering does not occur for a period exceeding seven consecutive days;
(E) Camping or other recreation where tethering is required by the camping or recreational area where the dog is located;
(F) Any activity where a tethered dog is in visual range of its owner or keeper, and the owner or keeper is located outside with the dog;
(G) After taking possession of a dog that appears to be a stray, having first advised Animal Control authorities of the capture of dog, the dog may be tethered or restrained in accordance with these provisions for a period not to exceed seven days in order to determine the identity of the dog or its owner;
(H) Walking a dog with a hand-held leash; and/or
(I) In accordance with tethering restrictions in effect within any of the municipalities in Surry County. In the event one or more of the municipalities in Surry County adopts this Animal Control and Animal Welfare Ordinance, its terms shall apply within that/those municipalities.
(J) Up to one year after this ordinance version goes into effect. There will be a one year grace period for owners to comply with § 90.097(B).
(K) In accordance with registration of an exemption application, acceptance of exemption application by Surry County Animal Control, and strict adherence § 90.097(C). Once a Surry County citizen has applied for an exemption to restrain their animal, if deemed acceptable, will be considered an exemption to the no-tethering ordinance rule.
(Ord. passed 8-1-2016)