Battle Creek, Michigan

October 4, 2005

This ordinance prohibits the tethering of dogs for more than three , one-hour periods per day. Tethering periods must be separated by a hiatus of three continuous hours.

CHAPTER 608
608.09 Cruelty to Animals

(a) No person shall cruelly treat or abuse an animal in any of the following ways:

(7) Confine an animal on a tether, unless the tether allows the animal access to suitable shelter and:

A. For dogs, the tether is at least ten feet in length; the tether and collar, harness or other type of collaring device when taken together weighs not more than one-eighth of the dog’s body weight and does not, due to weight, inhibit the free movement of the dog; the manner of tethering prevents injury, strangulation, or entanglement on fences, trees or other man-made or natural obstacles or objects; the collar, harness or any other type of collaring device being used is designed for that purpose and made from material that prevents injury to the dog; the period of tethering does not exceed one continuous hour, except that tethering of the same dog may resume after an hiatus of three continuous hours; and the dog is tethered no more than a total of three hours per day.