Shreveport, Louisiana

May 24, 2016

No animal shall be confined primarily by means of a tether. An animal may be tethered to a running cable or trolley system as a secondary means of restraint within a proper enclosure for no more than 15 hours in a 24-hour period.

Sec. 14-16. – Owner’s responsibilities.
(4) Owners of dogs and cats shall be responsible for compliance with the following:
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(d) It shall be the responsibility of the owner to confine outside animals in an enclosed area, with the exception of cats. The primary enclosure should contain a minimum of 48 square feet (six feet by eight feet) per animal. There shall be no tethering of animals with chains, cables, ropes or any other such device in lieu of a proper enclosure. Outside animals that reside in a neighborhood with fencing restrictions must be kept inside or confined in an outside kennel with the minimum square footage as stated in this subsection. Any animal found in violation will be seized. The owner will have five days to correct the discrepancy or the animal will become the property of CPAS. Whether or not the animal is redeemed, the owner will be responsible for all fees. Whoever is found to be guilty of failing to provide the proper enclosure shall be fined not less than $250.00 nor more than $500.00 or serve five days in jail.
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(9) Minimum requirements for dog and cat pens.
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(b) Tethering as a secondary means of restraint to a proper enclosure. As a secondary means of restraint in a proper enclosure, an animal may be attached to a running cable line or trolley system providing that:
1) Subsection (d)(8) of this part is complied with.
2) A running cable line or trolley is set inside a proper enclosure.
3) Only one animal may be attached to each running cable line or trolley system.
4) This device must provide for humane, unrestrained range of movement for the animal [in order] to ensure that the animal is not exposed to hazard or injury and shall not prevent the animal from having food, water, shelter, adequate ventilation, [or] protection from the elements.
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.
6) No animal may be attached to a running cable line or trolley system for more than 15 hours in a 24-hour period.
7) The tether must be attached to a properly fitted harness or non-choke collar that weighs no more than one-eighth of the animal’s body weight. The running line must be at least ten feet in length and provide the animal with a minimum of 64 square feet of space to freely move about.
8) The area must be kept free from unsanitary conditions and vermin-harboring debris.
9) The dog may not be tethered outside during periods of extreme weather, including extreme heat or near-freezing temperatures, thunderstorms, tornadoes, tropical storms or hurricanes.
10) While participating in training sessions for hunting or competitive events, dogs shall be tethered with leashes of a minimum of ten feet. The tether must allow the dog ample room to sit, lay down and turn around. Water shall be provided at all times. No dogs shall be left unsupervised by the responsible party when tethered for these purposes.