Masontown, Pennsylvania

§ 61-15.1 Tethering of dogs; keeping dogs outside.

This section prohibits keeping dogs outdoors in extreme weather.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to tether, fasten, chain, tie, restrain or cause any 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:

(1) The dog has easy access to:

(a) Potable drinking water;

(b) Edible food; and

(c) Adequate shade and/or shelter within the tethered area.

(2) The dog is periodically monitored while tethered for the aforementioned reasonable period of time; and

(3) The dog is not tethered outdoors during any period in which a severe weather warning has been issued for Fayette County by the National Weather Service; and

(4) 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:

(a) Below 32ºF.; or

(b) Above 90ºF.

B. 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 Fayette County by the National Weather Service for a continuous period of time greater than 1/2 hour if the temperature during such period remains entirely either:

(1) Below 32ºF.; or

(2) Above 90ºF.

(3) “Outside,” for the purpose of this section, shall mean any unattended clog that is outside subjected to the weather and elements, which expressly includes, but is not limited to, a dog in a securely fenced-in yard, a dog in a kennel, or a dog tethered or tied-out. The dog shall be considered “out” regardless of access to an outdoor doghouse or similar structure.