Florence, South Carolina

“Tethered” or “tethering” means attaching an animal to a stationary object by means of a chain, choke chain, cable, rope, running line, harness, or similar device. Tethering shall not include the use of an appropriate leash to walk a dog.

It shall be unlawful for any person to tether, fasten, chain, tie, restrain or otherwise cause a dog to be fastened, chained, tied or restrained, without limitation to houses, trees, garages, or other stationary or immobile objects by means of a chain, choke chain, cable, rope, running line, harness or other physical restraint for the purpose of confinement, except in circumstances where all of the following requirements are met:

(1) The tether must be attached to a properly fitting harness or collar and not directly to the dog’s neck. The tether must be at least fifteen (15) feet in length; positioned so that at its greatest length it prevents injury, strangulation or entanglement with any obstruction, man-made or natural or another animal; and employ a swivel on at least one end of the tether to minimize tangling.

(2) The tether, assembly or attachments shall not exceed one-tenth of the dog’s body weight so as to inhibit the free movement of a dog within the area tethered.

(3) Tethering of dogs for more than eight (8) hours during any twenty-four-hour period is prohibited.

(4) A dog is not to be tethered outside during extreme weather including, but not limited to, extreme heat or near-freezing temperatures, thunderstorms, or floods without proper shelter and sustenance as defined in this chapter.

(5) A tethered dog must have access to adequate shade, shelter, food, and water.

(6) A tethered dog must be at least fifteen (15) feet from the edge of any public road or sidewalk and not in an area open to teasing or attacks, or where the ground is continuously wet or muddy. The dog must be tethered in a manner that will prevent the animal from leaving any part of the owner’s property.

(7) A tethered dog must be six (6) months of age or older.

(8) A tethered dog must not be sick or injured.

(9) If there are multiple dogs, each dog must be tethered separately with sufficient space placed between the dogs to ensure that there is no contact with another tethered animal.

When a pet or animal is found in a condition which evidences a first-time violation of any paragraph of section 3-5, tethering, the animal control officer (ACO) shall issue a “notice of violation” to its owner, if known. The owner shall then have 24 hours to correct the violation.

Any person violating any provision of this section shall be subject to the following:

(1) For a first and second offense, the person shall pay an administrative fine of one hundred dollars ($100.00) per offense.

(2) For a third or subsequent offense, the person, upon conviction, shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00).

(3) Each day’s violation of any provision of this section shall constitute a separate offense.

If this violation occurs a third time, or if the owner does not correct or remedy the first-time violation within twenty-four (24) hours, or if the person violates any other section of this chapter, the ACO shall cause a “summons” to be issued to such person and the matter shall be heard before a court of competent jurisdiction. However, nothing in this chapter shall limit an ACO from taking immediate action, when it is deemed to be in the best interest of the pet or animal.