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I7 <br />Tethering Committee Report <br />July 3&, 2007 <br />recommending that tethering be limited rather than outlawed because it has concluded that <br />these are certain circumstances coder which tethering can be an acceptable method of <br />confinement for several hours, whether the owner is in attendance or has left his or her <br />residence for that time period. <br />a Tethers must mad certain r Wdmmetrts. A tethered dog most have a tether at least ten feet in <br />length that swivels at each and to prevent choking or strangulation and allows access to <br />flood, water and shelter. The weight of the tether and collar must not exceed tea percent of <br />the dog's body weight. A tethered dog must be tethered using a buckle collar or harness. <br />Choke chain collars and prong collars are not allowed when tethering a dog. These <br />requirements am designed to avoid strangulation and ensure the welfare of the animal if and <br />when it is tethered in accordance with the proposed ordinance. <br />• A minimum vea size for outdoor enclosures for dogs should be estab This is <br />necessary to empower Animal Control to ensure that dogs taken off tethers as a primary <br />means of constraint are not confined to small spaces that compromise their welfare-5 <br />Exceptions <br />• <br />1.ffimWg is allowed at txuWU and performance (or MQ&W events for dog& including but <br />not limited to field trails and obedience trads. In such cases, continuous tethering shall not <br />be allowed for a period longer than seven (7) days. <br />Implementation <br />• An Ordb=M amendment regarding tee' should become effective 18 months after its <br />a& Z= This approach is infiarmed by the successful experience of other communities in <br />which awareness was raised and the public educated before a tethering regulation actually <br />became effective. <br />S An ==AD of such requu'emmt from New Hanover County, North Carolina, is that "Outside enclamm mesas a pea <br />large eaongh to provide each dog less then 25 ponmds with a beard of at ImA 8 feet x to feet in size, and each dog 25 <br />pounds or greater with a beanel of 10 feet x 10 tixt in sox. Animal control services reserves the right to dete1laine if a <br />space is considered suitable for &e number and size of dogs housed in as outdoor eudosuue." (New Fhmmw Cawity <br />Code, Section 5-4) <br />- 9 <br />59 <br />