§ 4-118. Restraint of dogs; tethering restricted.

(a)

Type of restraint required. It is unlawful for any owner, possessor, or custodian of any dog to fail to keep the dog under restraint or control as provided for in this section. Reasonable care and precautions shall be taken to prevent any dog from leaving the real property limits of its owner, possessor or custodian, and to ensure that the dog is security and humanely enclosed within a house, building, fence, pen or other enclosure out of which it cannot climb, dig, jump, or otherwise escape of its own volition.

(b)

Electronic containment systems permitted. Secure and humane restraint by an electronic containment system is permitted provided that adequate signage must be placed on the property indicating that the system is in place.

(c)

Tethering permitted; acceptable methods. Sick or injured dogs and dogs under six months of age that do weigh less than 20 pounds may not be tethered in the City. For all other dogs, tethering as a means of adequately restraining the dog under this section is permitted provided that the following conditions are met:

(1)

The dog must be securely and humanely tethered in the immediate presence of a caregiver.

(2)

There must be adequate food, water and shelter available at all times within the tethering area.

(3)

The tethering area shall be clear of any debris or obstacles to prevent the tethering line from becoming entangled.

(4)

The tethering area shall allow for the maximum available exercise area and maximum freedom of movement.

(5)

The tethering area must be maintained in a sanitary condition and must provide the dog access to adequate dry ground.

(6)

The tether shall be attached to a stationary object that cannot be moved by the animal and shall terminate at both ends with a swivel.

(7)

The tether shall be placed to prevent any dog from encroaching upon adjoining property or public rights-of-way, including sidewalks and roads.

(8)

The tether shall be a minimum of ten feet or three times the length of the dog, as measured from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail, whichever is longer.

(9)

The tether shall be made of a substance which cannot be chewed by the dog.

(10)

The tether shall weigh less than ten percent of the weight of the dog being tethered.

(11)

The dog shall be attached to the tether with a properly fitting buckle-type collar or harness made of nylon or leather; choke, chain, pinch, or prong collars shall not be used to attach a dog to a tether.

(12)

Pulley systems shall be mounted at least four feet and no more than seven feet above ground level.

(13)

Only one dog shall be attached to a single tether; if more than one dog is tethered on a property, the tethers shall be located so that the lines cannot become entangled.

(Ord. of 4-2-2012(13), § 1(30-101(5)(B)))