Tethering/Chaining
North Hempstead, New York
§ 14-9 Dogs to be restrained.
B. It shall be unlawful for any person to tether, leash, fasten, secure, restrain, chain or tie a dog to any stationary object outdoors or cause such dog to be restrained in a manner that:
1. Restricts such dog’s access to suitable food, fresh, potable water and dry ground;
2. Does not provide such dog with shelter appropriate to its breed, physical condition, and the climate as defined by § 353-b of the New York State Agriculture and Markets Law; or
3. Unreasonably limits the movement of such dog because the restraint is too short for the dog to move around or for the dog to urinate or defecate in an area separate from the area where the dog must eat, drink or lie down.
C. Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection B of this section, no person shall tether, leash, fasten, secure, restrain, chain or tie a dog to any object with a device that:
1. Is a choke collar, pinch collar, prong collar or a similar collar that restrains the dog in such a manner that it impairs the flow of oxygen or blood to the dog and which may cause choking or causes substantial discomfort to the dog;
2. Is embedded, partially embedded or may become embedded in the dog’s skin;
3. Has weights attached or contains links that are more than 1/4 inch thick;
4. Weighs more than 12.5% of the dog’s total body weight, not to exceed 15 pounds for any dog;
5. Is less than 15 feet in length, except that the device may be in a shorter length if the length of 15 feet may allow activity prohibited by Section 14-9(C)(7) below;
6. Because of its design or placement is likely to become entangled;
7. Is long enough to allow such dog to move outside of its owner’s property;
8. Would allow the restrained dog to move over an object, including any fencing, barrier, or edge that could result in the strangulation of or injury to such dog; or
9. Is fixed (i.e., does not swivel) on either end.
D. No person shall tether, leash, fasten, secure, restrain, chain or tie a dog to any stationary object outdoors for more than one continuous hour in any continuous twelve-hour period between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.
E. No person shall tether, leash, fasten, secure, restrain, chain or tie a dog to any stationary object outdoors between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
F. Multiple dogs shall not be tethered or restrained in such a manner that they are able to come into contact with one another at any point in time while restrained.
G. No person shall tether, leash, fasten, secure, restrain, chain, tie, pen or otherwise confine outdoors a dog when:
1. The temperature is below 32° F.;
2. The temperature is above 90° F.;
3. The National Weather Service has issued a heat or wind chill advisory, watch or warning; or
4. Conditions are not appropriate due to the breed, physical condition and climate, as established pursuant to New York State Agricultural and Markets Law § 353-b.
H. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any federal, state or local law enforcement agency.
I. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, no person shall allow a tethered, leashed, fastened, chained, tied, secured or restrained dog to be taunted, prod, hit, harassed, threatened, attacked or otherwise harmed by humans or other animals.