Red Bank, Tennessee

Sec.10-504 – Tethering dogs and other animals.

(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to tie or tether a dog or other animal to a stationary object for longer than 30 minutes with no supervision or in a location so as to create an unhealthy situation for the animal or a potentially dangerous situation for a pedestrian as determined by an animal protection officer.

(2) The terms “unhealthy situation” and “potentially dangerous situation” shall include, but not be limited to the following:

(a) Tether, fasten, chain, tie, or restrain a dog, or cause a dog to be tethered, fastened, chained, tied, or restrained, to a dog house, tree, fence, or any other stationary object for longer than a reasonable time with no supervision;

(b) Tether any animal in such a manner as to permit the animal to leave the owner’s property;

(c) Tether any animal in an area that is not properly fenced so as to prevent any person or child from entering the area occupied by said animal;

(d) Tether any companion animal in a manner whereby the animal is subject to harassment and perpetual stings or bites from outdoor insects, or attacks by other animals.

(e) Failure to remove waste from the tethered area daily;

(f) Allow more than one animal to be tethered to each running cable or trolley line.

(g) Use a tether that weighs more than one-fifth of the animal’s body weight.

(h) Tether, chain, attached to a running cable line or trolley system any animal between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.;

(i) Use a running cable line or trolley system that is made of a substance that can be chewed by the animal;

(j) Use of a tether from the running cable line or trolley system to the animal’s collar that prohibits access to food, water, and shelter as well as access to the maximum available area for adequate exercise;

(k) Tether an animal in any manner other than by using a properly fitted harness or collar. The attachment of a tether to a choke or prong collar is strictly prohibited; and

(l) Tether an animal in a manner or location that would allow for (i) the tangling of the cable or tether; (ii) the extension of the cable or tether over an object or an edge that could result in injury or strangulation of the animal; or (iii) access by the animal to a fence.

(m) Tether an animal for more than 15 minutes at a time during inclement weather, meaning: a) during any severe weather warning issued for the area by the National Weather Service, including a winter storm, tornado, or severe thunderstorm warning; b) during a heat advisory issued by a local or state authority; c) when the actual or effective outdoor temperature is 95 degrees Fahrenheit or higher or 32 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Exceptions to this provision can be granted if an animal protection officer, having inspected an animal’s circumstances, has determined the animal to be safe and well suited and well equipped to tolerate even these extreme environmental conditions.

(3) A person may do any of the following provided the dog does not become a nuisance to neighbors:

(a) Attach a dog to a running line, pulley, or trolley system. A dog shall not be tethered to the running line, pulley, or trolley system by means of a choke collar or pinch collar or between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

(b) Tether, fasten, chain, tie, or otherwise restrain a dog pursuant to the requirements of a recreational area.

(c) Tether, fasten, chain, or tie a dog no longer than is necessary for the person to complete a temporary task that requires the dog to be restrained for no more than 30 minutes.

(d) Tether, fasten, chain, or tie a dog while engaged in, or actively training for, an activity that is conducted pursuant to a valid license issued by the State of Tennessee if the activity for which the license is issued is associated with the use or presence of a dog.

(4) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a person from restraining a dog while participating in activities or using accommodations that are reasonably associated with the licensed activity.