(A) It is unlawful to chain or tether unneutered/unspayed dogs in any manner and/or at any time within the township.
(B) Neutered/spayed dogs may be tethered under the following circumstances:
(1) The tether must be at least 15 feet long and have operative swivel on both ends, weigh no more than one-eighth of the dog’s weight and be attached to a properly fitting collar or harness.
(2) The collar used for tethering may not be a choke chain collar, slip collar, or prong collar.
(3) The tether must allow the dog access to proper shelter, sufficient food and sufficient water.
(4) The tether may not be used in any area where it may become tangled around any object, such as, but not limited to, a tree, pole, fence, or stake.
(5) The tether cannot inhibit the movement of the animal’s limbs or cause injury, harm, entanglement or strangulation.
(6) The tether must restrain the dog within the bounds of the owner’s or caregiver’s property.
(7) The tether must terminate no less than five feet from any fence, pool, wall, vehicle, tree, or other object or obstruction upon which any animal may harm itself.
(8) Dogs may be tethered for no more than four consecutive hours in any 24-hour period of time and never between sunset and sunrise.
(C) When a violation of this provision occurs, an animal control officer or law enforcement officer is authorized to document the circumstances and evidence, take reasonable measures to remove the animal from the tether, take the tether as evidence, and take the animal to the pound.
(Ord. 260-15, passed 2-23-15)