Escambia County, Florida 

April 2010

The ordinance requires dog owners to provide each dog with a shelter that is large enough to allow the animal sufficient space to stand up, turn around, lie down, and stretch comfortably. Tethering of animals who are more than 6 months old will be allowed if the animal is within eyesight of the owner and if the tethering system is at least 6 feet long, weighs no more than one sixteenth of the animal’s body weight, and is fitted with a proper collar. The animal cannot be tethered during extreme weather or while he or she is sick.

Section 10-16. Cruelty to Animals.

(e) It shall be unlawful for any owner or person in possession of an animal and who confines the animal outdoors on private property to tie, chain or otherwise tether an animal that is under the age of six (6) months.

(f) It shall be unlawful for any owner or person in possession of an animal and who confines the animal outdoors on private property to tie, chain or otherwise tether an animal that is over the age of six (6) months except when the following conditions are met:

(a) the animal is in the visible range of the responsible party or the responsible party is located outdoors with the animal;

(b) the tether shall—i) be a minimum of six (6) feet in length or at least five (5) times the length of the animal when measured from the tip of the animal’s nose to the base of the tail, whichever is longer, ii) terminate at both ends with a swivel, and iii) not weigh more than 1/16 of the animal’s weight;

(c) an overhead pulley/running line shall—i) be that is at least fifteen (15) feet in length and ii) no less than seven (7) feet above the ground;

(d) the tether must be fastened to a properly fitting body harness or buckle-type collar made of nylon or leather;

(e) the tether shall be free from entanglements or other obstructions at all times;

(f) the animal shall have access to potable water, food, shelter and dry ground at all times;

(g) an animal shall not be tethered while sick, injured or in distress;

(h) an animal shall not be tethered outside during a period of extreme weather, including but not limited to, extreme heat, extreme cold, thunderstorms, tornadoes, tropical storms, or hurricanes; and

(i) multiple animals must be tethered separately.