Raleigh's New Dog Tethering Ordinance
CITY COUNCIL APPROVES DOG TETHERING ORDINANCE
The Raleigh City Council has unanimously approved a dog tethering ordinance which takes effect Wednesday, July 1, 2009. This ordinance regulates the unattended restraint or tethering of dogs. Under the measure, a dog may not be tethered for more than three hours total in any 24-hour period. The ordinance defines tethering as a means of tying out or fastening a dog outdoors on a rope, chain, or other line for restraining a dog's movements. The term does not mean the restraint of a dog on an attended leash.
This ordinance is to prevent injury to the dog should it become entangled in ropes, chains, or surrounding objects. The ordinance also seeks to prevent dogs from long-term exposure to harsh weather conditions without access to shelter or a supply of food and water.
Any tethering device must be at least 10-feet long and attached in a manner that prevents strangulation or other injury to the dog, or entanglement with objects. A cable trolley system may be used to tether a dog for the allowed period as long as the stationary cable is at least 10-feet long and the dog can move perpendicularly at least 10-feet away from the stationary line. The line should be attached to the dog with a buckle-type collar or with a body harness. The device used to tether can weigh no more than 10 percent of the animal’s body weight and must allow the dog access to food and water.
In addition to being a misdemeanor, a violation of the dog tethering ordinance is subject to a civil penalty of $100 per day for each day of violation.
This information was posted March 4, 2009, in the News section on the City of Raleigh's website.
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