Provincetown, Massachusetts

November 8, 2010

Dogs may not be tethered for more than three hours in a 24-hour period, and they may be tethered only when certain conditions are met.

13-2-7-8 UNLAWFUL TETHERING OF DOGS.38
(a)The following term shall have the following definition:
“Reasonable period” shall mean a period of time not to exceed a total of three hours in any 24-hour period, or a time that is otherwise approved by the animal control officer.
“Temporary task” shall mean a task that takes no longer than 30 minutes to complete.
“Tether” shall mean to fasten, chain, tie or otherwise restrain.
(b) No person shall tether, or cause a dog to be tethered, to a dog house, tree, fence, or any other stationary object.
(1) A dog shall not be tethered to any running line, pulley, or trolley system by means of a choke collar or pinch collar or prong collar or any other device that is not properly fitted to the dog or that is likely to cause injury to the dog.
(2) A dog shall not be tethered if the length of the tether is shorter than ten feet or five times the length of the dog as measured from the tip of the dog’s nose to the base of the dog’s tail, whichever is greater.
(3) A dog shall not be tethered in any manner that is likely to cause injury, strangulation or entanglement to the dog.
(4) A dog shall not be tethered if the dog does not have access to water, shade and dry ground.
(5) A dog shall not be tethered if it is visibly sick or injured.
(6) A dog shall not be tethered in the case of extreme weather conditions, including conditions in which the actual or effective outdoor temperature is below 32 degrees Fahrenheit; a heat advisory has been issued by a local or state authority jurisdiction; or a hurricane, tropical storm or tornado warning has been issued within the Town by the National Weather Service.
(7) A dog shall not be tethered if the owner or party responsible for the dog is not in visual range of the dog.
(c) Notwithstanding subdivision (b), an owner or person responsible for the dog may do any of the following:
(1) Tether a dog for a reasonable period. If there are multiple dogs, each dog is tethered separately.
(2) Tether a dog pursuant to the requirements of a camping or recreational area.
(3) Tether a dog no longer than is necessary for the owner or person responsible for the dog to complete a temporary task that requires the dog to be restrained.
(d) Any person who violates this bylaw shall be subject to a fine of $100 (one hundred dollars) for the first offense; $200 (two hundred dollars) for the second offense; and $300 (three hundred dollars) for the third and subsequent offenses. Each violation of this by-law shall be deemed to be a separate offense.