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Tethering Committee Report July 30~', 2007 <br />RECOMM]CNDATIONS <br />The Orange County Tethering Committee, on the basis of its charge from the BOCC and after <br />extensive research and public input, is proposing that there be an amendment to the County's <br />animal ordinance to restrict but not prohibit the tethering of dogs in Orange County. This and <br />closely related recommendations regarding matters such as the implementation of a new ordinance <br />are presented in this section. <br />An ordinance amendment is being proposed because there is presently very little regulation of <br />tethering in Orange County's animal ordinances, regulations which apply in the unincorporated <br />parts of the County and Hillsborough. A minimum standard is set out in Section VII in these terms: <br />"If any unattended animal is restrained by a chain, leash or similar restraint, it shall be designed and <br />placed to prevent choking or strangulation. Such chain or restraint shall not be less than ten (10) <br />feet in length and either on a swivel designed to prevent the animal from choking or strangling <br />itself, or on a chain run." a <br />As formulated below, in order to more effectively regulate the practice of tethering in Orange <br />County, the Tethering Committee's specific recommendations fall into four closely related areas: <br />Limitation and Requirements <br />• Tethering should be limited to three (3) hours within a twenty-four-hour period, and a <br />tethered axvmal shall be kept in accordance with all other laws, including but not limited to <br />requirements for food, water and shelter. By limiting tethering to three (3) hours per day, <br />such an ordinance would reduce the risk of uncontrolled contact between dogs and people, <br />which is sometimes responsible for dog attacks and bites, and it could improve or enhance <br />the overall conditions and care of dogs themselves. It should be noted that the Committee is <br />a North Carolina General Statute (NCGS) (sections 14-360 forward) pertaining to cruelty to animals may apply in some <br />circumstances to how an animal is secured. With only one exception, however, it does not make any specific mention <br />of restraint or tethering. The exception is NCGS 14-362.3 (Restraining dogs in a cruel manner), which makes it a Class <br />1 misdemeanor for someone to "maliciously restrain a dog using a chain or wire grossly in excess of the size necessary <br />to restrain the dog safely." <br />8 <br />