Southgate, Michigan

Section 615.05 ANIMAL CARE.

(12) Tethering of dogs

(a) Tethering means the practice of securing a dog to a stationary object by means of a metal chain or coated steel cable or other similar means for keeping a dog restrained in its movement. Tethering does not mean walking a dog on a leash, or for temporary grooming, or other professional service.

(b) It shall be unlawful for a person to:

(1) Continuously tether a dog for more than three hours during any twenty-four hour period; or

(2) Tether a dog on a tether made of anything but coated steel cable; or

(3) Use a tether or any assembly or attachments there to tether a dog that shall weigh more than ten percent (10%) of the animal’s body weight, or due to weight, inhibit the free movement of the animal within the area tethered; or

(4) Tether a dog on anything except a buckle type collar or harness. It is unlawful to tether a dog on a choke chain or around the dog’s neck, or tethered to training collars such as choke or pinch type collars, 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

(5) Tether a dog without access to shade when sunlight is likely to cause overheating.

(6) Tether a dog and fail to provide appropriate shelter to provide insulation and protection against cold and dampness when the atmospheric temperature falls below 40 degrees Fahrenheit; or

(7) Tether a dog without securing its food and water supply so that it cannot be tipped over by the tether; or

(8) 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

(9) Tether a dog in an area composed entirely of bare earth subject to becoming wet and muddy in the event of precipitation, and without any dry surface area or cover for protection; or

(10) Tether a dog less than four (4) months of age; or

(11) Tether more than one dog to a single shelter; or

(12) Tether a dog to a stationary object which would allow a dog to come within five (5) feet of any property line; or

(13) Tether a dog without a swivel attachment on both ends; or

(14) Tether a dog on a tether more than 10 feet in length.

(c) The animal control officer, or his/her designee, may in his/her discretion temporarily order a more restrictive tethering requirement if circumstances require and it is not detrimental to the health, safety, or welfare of the dog.