ORD-2008-102a - Animal Control Ordinance - Tethering of Dogs

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129 la Tethering Cow Report July 30P, 2007 The Orange County Tethering Committee, on the basis of its charge from the BOCC and after extensive research and public input, is proposing that there be an amendment to the County's animal ordinance to restrict bur not prohibit the tethering of dogs in Orange County. This and closely related recommendations regarding matters such as the implementation of a new ordinance are presented in this section. An ordinance amendment is being proposed because there is presently very little regulation of tethering in Orange County's animal ordinances, regulations which apply in the unincorporated parts of the County and Hillsborough A miniamm standard is set out in Section VII in these terns: "If any unattended animal is restrained by a chain, leash or similar restraint, it shall be designed and placed to prevent choking or strangulation. Such chain or restraint shall not be less than ten (10) feet in length and either on a swivel designed to prevent the animal from choking or strangling itselE, or on a chain run." 4 As fDrmukftd below, in order to more effectively regulate the practice of tethering in Orange County, the Tethering Committee's specific recommendations fall into four closely related areas: Limitation and Requirements should be limited to three (3) hours within a twenty four- -hour period. and a tethered animal shall be kept in accordance with all other laws. inchuiina but not limited to reak menu for food, wad and sheltex By limiting tethering to three (3) hours per day, such an ordinance would reduce the risk of uncontrolled contact between dogs and people, which is sometimes responsible for dog attacks and bites, and it could improve.or enbm= the overall conditions and care of dogs themselves. It should be noted that the Committee is 4 NW& Carolina General Statute (NCGS) (sedions 14360 mod) pig to Caner to animals UW BPP;y in some rarcomsI mcm tD how an anal is seemed. With only one exception, however, it does not nhake any specific mendan of reshaiQt or tddhain& The c=cpdcn is NCW 143623 (Restraining dogs in a crud manner}, which makes it a Class 1 misdameanar for someone to "maliciously reshain a dog using a chain or wire grossly in excess of the sim necessary to reshain the dog softy."