Dearborn, Michigan

August 13, 2013

Dogs may not be tethered for more than one continuous hour unless there is a three-hour hiatus between periods of tethering, and the total amount of time may not exceed three hours tethered per day.

Sec. 4-32. – Tethering.

It shall be unlawful for any person to:

(a) To attach chains or tethers, restraints or implements directly to a dog without the proper use of a collar, harness, or other device designed for that purpose and made from a material that prevents injury to the animal.

(b) No person shall:

(1) Continuously tether a dog for more than one continuous hour, except that tethering of the same dog shall resume after a hiatus of three continuous hours, for up to three hours’ total time on tether per day; provided that for the purpose of tethering a dog, a chain, leash, rope or tether shall be at least ten feet in length; or

(2) Use a tether or any assembly or attachments thereto to tether a dog that shall weigh more than one-eighth of the animal’s body weight, or due to weight, inhibit the free movement of the animal within the area tethered; or

(3) Tether a dog on a choke chain or in such a manner as to cause injury, strangulation, or entanglement of the dog on fences, trees, or other man made or natural obstacles; or

(4) Tether a dog without access to shade when sunlight is likely to cause overheating, or appropriate shelter to provide insulation and protection against cold and dampness when the atmospheric temperature falls below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or to tether a dog without securing its water supply so that it cannot be tipped over by the tether; or

(5) Tether a dog in an open area where it can be teased by persons or an open area that does not provide the dog protection from attack by other animals; or

(6) Tether an animal in an area where bare earth is present and no steps have been taken to prevent the surface from becoming wet and muddy in the event of precipitation.