Calhoun County, South Carolina

Sec. 6-34. – Tethering.

(a) It shall be unlawful to tether a dog while outdoors except when all of the following conditions are met:

(1) The dog must be over the age of six months.

(2) The tether is connected to the dog with a buckle-type collar or a body harness made of nylon or leather, and such collar or harness is not less than one inch in width and is at least one inch greater in diameter than the dog’s neck or torso.

(3) The tether system must be connected to a single stake or similar system with a swivel top. The system must have swivel type connections on each end and must be at least 12 feet in length and allow the dog to have as close to 360 degrees circular movement as practicable.

(4) Tethering to a running line, pulley, or trolley system which is elevated no higher than seven feet off the ground in a manner that allows the tether to move freely along the length of the running line, pulley, or trolley is allowed. There must be at least 12 feet of distance between the two points. The system must allow the dog to move freely along the length without being entangled. The tether connected to a running line, pulley, or trolley needs to be at least eight feet in length.

(5) Only one dog may be attached per running line, pulley, or trolley system to prevent any injuries, entanglement, and, or strangulation.

(6) The dog is tethered so as to prevent injury, entanglement, and, or strangulation.

(7) The dog is not tethered where any object may interfere or impede free movement of the tether.

(8) The dog is not tethered in such proximity to any other tethered animal that would allow entanglement.

(9) The dog is not tethered in a location that does not provide shade and, or which is continuously wet or muddy creating an unhealthy environment.

(10) The dog has access to adequate shelter, water, and food.

(11) The dog is not tethered outside during extreme weather, including but not limited to, temperatures above 95 degrees Fahrenheit or temperatures below 30 degrees Fahrenheit, snow, sleet, hail, severe thunderstorms, freezing rain, tornadoes, tropical storms, or hurricanes.

(12) The tethered animal must be no less than ten feet from the edge of any public road or sidewalk.

(13) The dog is not tethered on any property with an unoccupied dwelling, to include, but not limited to, abandoned or condemned buildings, as determined by animal control officers.

(14) No extra items that may add unnecessary weight may be attached by any means to the tether or collar. A lock may be used for security purposes only. The lock, itself, must not add unnecessary weight to the tether or collar. A chain or any chain-link type of design in any way is not allowed. Depending on the situation, or circumstances, unnecessary weight shall be determined by animal control officers.

(b) This section shall not apply to animals tethered as part of training for hunting, animals involved in public events or gatherings, or animals at campgrounds located within the areas of the county.

(c) Any person violating the terms of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction must be fined not more than $250.00 for a first offense and for all subsequent offenses within one year a fine of $500.00; or imprisonment for not more than 30 days for any offense.