DeKalb County, Georgia

July 12, 2005

This ordinance prohibits the tethering of dogs to stationary objects. Dogs may be restrained by a running cable or trolley system for a limited amount of time, provided that the system meets certain conditions.

Sec. 5-1. Definitions.

Tethered means an animal attached to a stationary object by a chain, cable or similar device commonly used for the size and type of animal involved. An animal is not considered tethered when the animal is attached to a stationary object, as long as the owner or custodian is physically within reach of the animal. Any tethering device used to tether an animal must be at least 10 feet in length.

Sec. 5-3. Keeping animal under restraint while on owner’s property.

(d) Tethering of an animal is prohibited.

(e) As a secondary means of restraint to a proper enclosure, an animal may be attached to a running cable line or trolley system providing that:
(1)  A running cable line or trolley system is set inside a proper enclosure;

(2)  Only one animal may be attached to each running cable line or trolley system;

(3)  No animal may be attached to a running cable line or trolley system for  more than twelve (12) hours in a twenty-four hour period;

(4)  No animal may be attached to a running cable line or trolley system between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.;

(5)  Tethers and cables attaching the animal to the running cable line or trolley system must be made of a substance which cannot be chewed by the animal and shall not weigh more than five percent (5%) of the body weight of the animal tethered;

(6)  A running cable line or trolley system must have a swivel installed at each end and be attached to a stationary object that cannot be moved by the animal;

(7)  The running cable line or trolley system must be at least ten (10) feet in length and mounted at least four (4) feet and no more than seven (7) feet above ground level;

(8)  The length of the tether from the running cable line or trolley system to the animal’s collar should allow access to the maximum available exercise area and allow the animal free access to food, water, and shelter;

(9)  Be attached to a properly fitted harness or collar not used for the display of a current rabies tag and other identification; and with enough room between the collar and the dog’s throat through which two (2) fingers may fit. Choke collars and pinch collars are prohibited for the purpose of tethering an animal to a running cable line or trolley system; and

(10)  Be tethered at sufficient distance from any other objects to prohibit the tangling of the cable, from extending over an object or an edge that could result in injury of strangulation of the animal and be of sufficient distance from any fence so as to prohibit the animal access to the fence.