Hamilton Township, New Jersey

§ 105-5.1 Restraint and care of animals.

F. Confinement requirements. Though highly discouraged, tethering is only acceptable if:

(1) The tether is attached to a stake in the ground with a pulley like system.

(2) The tether is attached to the dog by a non-choke-type collar or body harness which allows the dog access to food, water and shelter, but free from obstructions.

(3) The dog must be tethered by a non-choke type collar or a body harness to a tether that is at least three times the body length of the dog, measured from the dog’s nose to the back of the hindquarters and which tether is free from entanglement.

(4) The dog must have access to food, water and shelter as described above.

(5) If female, the dog is sterilized or not in estrus.

(6) The tether does not exceed 10% of the dog’s body weight.

(7) The tether is at least three times the length of the dog from the tip of its nose to the base of its tail.

(8) The tether allows the dog to easily stand, sit, lie, turn around, and make all other normal body movements in a comfortable, normal position for the dog.

(9) The tether allows the dog to interact safely with other animals, if at all.

(10) Only one dog is attached to a single tether.

G. Prohibited activities and treatment.

(1) No owner, caretaker or handler shall withhold proper shelter, protection from weather, veterinary care and immune care to any animal. No owner, caretaker or handler shall fail to provide his or her animal with sufficient food and drinkable water on a daily basis. Food and water must be in an animal food consumption-type container, feeder or waterer.

(2) No animal shall be subject to unnecessary suffering and cruelty, such as subjecting the animal to prolonged fear, injury, pain or physical abuse. Interaction with humans and other animals shall not be unreasonably withheld.

(3) No dog or other domesticated animal shall remain outdoors, tethered, untethered or penned during a period of extreme weather, including, but not limited to, extreme heat (above 90° F.), extreme cold (below 32° F.), during thunderstorms, tornadoes, tropical storms, or hurricanes.