Tethering-Penning
HI Anti-Tethering Bills Coming Up for Vote
Update Feb. 24, 2010: As USA Today notes a trend in increasing restrictions on chaining dogs, the Hawaii House of Representatives' Committee on the Judiciary has voted unanimously to pass H.B. 2724 with amendments! (The Senate version, S.B.
Illinois Bill Would Ban Most Chaining
An Illinois bill, S.B. 2580, introduced by state Sen. Linda Holmes, would amend the Humane Care for Animals Act to ban tethering outdoors, whether to a stationary object or on a running line, of (1) dogs under 6 months of age and
Colorado Sled Dogs Need Your Help!
Under the Colorado Dept. of Agriculture regulations for the state's Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act, "[f]acilities that breed, train or house Alaskan dog breeds or Alaskan breed crosses, specifically for the purpose of pulling dog sleds" can request a waiver of the ban on chaining dogs as a primary means of confinement. 8 CCR 1201-11.12.00.B.1.c(1)-(2)
A Trend Toward Banning Unattended Chaining
In the past few years, there has been a trend in major U.S. cities as well as small communities to ban unattended chaining or tethering of dogs.
These counties and cities have banned unattended chaining or tethering including when the dog is attached to a running cable line or trolley system, except during temporary tasks or other limited circumstances:
Washington Bill Would Ban Almost All Unattended Chaining
and would also ban confinement in too small outdoor cages or pens.
A bill is pending in the Washington state legislature, H.B. 2387, that would ban all unattended chaining or tethering of dogs except for an hour each day or up to 3 hours if the owner is engaged in a temporary task.
Help Get Dogs Off the Chain and Out of the Cold
Many places in the U.S. are experiencing bitter cold now, and yet, dogs remain chained or tethered outside.
A Ban on Unattended Chaining Passes in Asheville
Asheville, North Carolina has joined a number of local governments that have banned unattended chaining of dogs.
By a vote of 5-2 the City Council voted to ban unattended tethering or chaining of dogs in the city.
Fulton County Joins the Anti-Chaining Movement
The new anti-tethering ordinance is set to go into effect Sept. 4, 2009 in Fulton County, the Atlanta area of Georgia.
The ordinance bans all unattended chaining. Dogs may be temporarily restrained as long as the owner or keeper is present. Any chain or tether used to restrain a dog temporarily must be attached to a well-fitted collar and must not be "excessively heavy or weighted" so as to interfere with the dog's movements.
Texas Revisits 2007 Anti-Tethering Law
Update: This bill was not considered further before the end of the legislative session.
Original report: The Texas legislature is reconsidering its anti-tethering law passed in 2007. The plan is to make it even stronger - and clearer.
