Runnemede, New Jersey

§ 82-56 Prohibited acts; requirements.

It shall be unlawful for any person to tether, fasten, chain, tie, restrain or cause an unattended dog to be fastened, chained, tied or restrained to houses, trees, fences, garages, stakes or other stationary or highly immobile objects by means of a rope, chain, strap or other physical restraint for the purpose of confinement, except in circumstances where all of the following requirements are satisfied:

A. The tethering is not for a longer period of time than necessary for the dog owner or custodian to complete a temporary task that requires the dog to be physically restrained for a reasonable period of time; and

B. The tether is attached to the dog by a nonchoke-type collar and attached to the stationary object by swivel anchors, latches, or similar devices in a manner which prevents the tether from becoming entangled around any object so as to limit the dog’s freedom within the tethered area, or to prevent the dog, or any of its appendages, from becoming entangled by the tether.

(1) The chain or tether shall not weigh more than 1/8 of the dog’s body weight.

(2) No dog under the age of six months shall be tethered outside for any length of time;

C. The dog has easy access to clean drinking water and adequate shade and/or shelter within the tethered area; and

D. The dog is periodically monitored while tethered for the aforementioned reasonable period of time; and

E. The dog is not tethered outdoors during any period in which a severe weather warning has been issued for Camden County by the National Weather Service; and

F. The dog is not tethered outdoors for a continuous period of time greater than 1/2 hour if the temperature during such period remains entirely either:

(1) Below 35° F.; or

(2) Above 90° F.;

G. It shall be unlawful for any person to leave any dog outside and unattended during any period in which a severe weather warning has been issued for Camden County by the National Weather Service or for a continuous period of time greater than 1/2 hour if the temperature during such period remains entirely either:

(1) Below 35° F.; or

(2) Above 90° F.;

H. No outside confinement at night. No person owning or keeping a dog in the town may leave a dog chained, tethered or confined outside between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.