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

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58 U9 Tedwring Committee Report July 30, 2007 The Orange County Tethering Committee, on the psis 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 but 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 Msborough. A minimum standard is set out in Section VII in these terms: "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 itself, or on a chain run." 4 As formulated below, in order to more eSectively regulate the practice of tethering in Orange County, the Tethering Committee's specific recommendations fall into four closely related areas: Limitation and Requirements • jethe ' g should be limited to there (a1 bours,yw�ithin �a(t�a,►entw four -hom p�eryiod. and a t L 1 L ll be L_a ' r M with all Other laws. nicl�g but not to yes n?I'Pis i17RIH� non �� b911L u 0. Ji`�w'ey rewkements far food. water and shelter. By limiting tethering to 6ree (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 enhance the overall conditions and care of dogs themselves. It should be noted that the Committee is 4 North Carolina Gmecucl Sb*ft (NC" (SWbons 14360 forward) pertaining to csnelty to animals may' apply in some circumstances to how an animal is seemed Vdh only one =Vdan, however, it does not malm any specific mwdm of restraint or tethering. The exception is NCt3S 143623 (Restraining dogs in a crud maffial which makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for someone to - maliciously restrain a dog using a chain or wire grossly in aocess of the size necessary to restrain the dog safely."