Tethering/Chaining
Abbeville, South Carolina
Sec. 4-58. – Animal care generally.
(c) It shall be unlawful for any responsible party to tether an animal while outdoors, except when all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The animal must be over the age of six months.
(2) The animal is in visual range of the owner or responsible party.
(3) The animal is not a female currently in heat cycle.
(4) The tether is connected to the animal with a buckle type collar or a body harness made of nylon or leather. “Slip” or choker style chains shall be prohibited.
(5) The tether has the following properties:
a. A minimum 12-foot length.
b. A swivel-type termination at both ends.
c. Is not made of chain.
d. Total weight does not exceed ten percent of the animal’s body weight.
e. Is fabricated of a material that prevents tangles.
(6) The animal is not tethered outside during extreme weather including but not limited to, extreme heat, temperatures below 36 degrees Fahrenheit, snow, hail, tornadoes, thunderstorms, tropical storms or hurricanes.
(7) The animal is tethered as to prevent injury, entanglement or accidental strangulation.
(8) The animal has access to water, food and shelter at all times.
(9) The animal is not tethered to any stationary object that would impede free movement.
(10) The animal is not sick or injured in any manner.
(11) The animal is not tethered in proximity to any other tethered animal that would allow for entanglement.
(12) The animal is not tethered to any property with an unoccupied dwelling, including but not limited to abandoned or condemned buildings or lots.
(13) Any pulley, running line or trolley system to which a tether is attached shall be no less than 15 feet in length and no more than seven feet above the ground.