Background/Purpose of Request:
The proposed revisions to the Animal Control Ordinance are being presented to the Board of Commissioners for consideration:
1-3-103 . . .
(13) Tethering. Tethering is defined as a means of tying or fastening a dog outdoors on a rope, cable, or other line for the purpose of restraint. Tethering does not include restraint of a dog on an attended leash. Tethering is prohibited except as set out hereafter. Dogs over 6 months of age may be tethered to a restraint system outdoors. A restraint system can be an overhead pulley system, a retractable cable system or a swiveled cable anchored into the ground. All of these systems must allow the dog a minimum of 10 feet of travel perpendicular to the anchor point. For a pulley system, the stationary cable that the pulley runs on must be at least 10 feet in length and anchored on each end to a stationary object. The line attached to the pulley must allow the dog to move perpendicularly at least 10 feet from the stationary cable. The restraint line must be attached to the dog with a buckled type collar or body harness. The restraint attached to the dog can weigh no more than 10 percent of the animal’s body weight. A swivel to prevent entanglement must be on at least one end of the restraint line attached to the dog. No person shall attach a tether to a dog with a choke-type collar or pronged collar. Any device used to tether a dog must be attached in a manner that prevents injury to the dog or entanglement.
Dogs that are used for hunting, sporting or as working dogs are exempt from these specific restraint requirements.
Nothing contained in these rules are intended to be in conflict with the laws of the state of North Carolina regarding dogs while being used in legal hunting activities, nor are these rules intended to interfere with legal sporting events or exhibitions involving dogs or other animals. |