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Tethering Committee Report <br />July 30~', 2007 <br />recommending that tethering be limited rather than outlawed because it has concluded that <br />there are certain circumstances under 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 />• Tethers must meet certain requirements. A tethered dog must have a tether at least ten feet in <br />length that swivels at each end to prevent choking or strangulation and allows access to <br />food, water and shelter. The weight of the tether and collar must not exceed ten 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 are 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 pen size for outdoor enclosures for dogs should be established. 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.s <br />Exceptions <br />• Tethering is allowed at training and performance (or sporting) events for dogs, including but <br />not limited to field trails and obedience trails. In such cases, continuous tethering shall not <br />be allowed for a period longer than seven (7) days. <br />Implementation <br />• An ordinance amendment regarding tethering should become effective 18 months after its <br />adoption. This approach is informed 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 example of such requirement from New Hanover County, North Carolina, is that: "Outside enclosure means a pen <br />large enough to provide each dog less than 25 pounds with a kennel of at least 8 feet x 10 feet in size, and each dog 25 <br />pounds or greater with a kennel of 10 feet x 10 feet in size. Animal control services reserves the right to determine if a <br />space is considered suitable for the number and size of dogs housed in an outdoor enclosure." (New Hanover County <br />Code, Section 5-4) <br />9 <br />