Indianapolis and Marion County, Indiana

Sec. 531-401. – General requirements for animal care and treatment.
(c) It shall be unlawful to tether any animal by use of a choke collar, or on any collar too small for the size and age of the animal, or by any rope, chain, or cord directly attached to the animal’s neck, or by a leash less than twelve (12) feet in length, or by any tether or leash without swivels on both ends, or of such unreasonable weight as to prevent the animal from moving about freely;

(d) It shall be unlawful for any animal to be tethered between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.; or to tether any un-sterilized dog for any period of time unless the dog is in visual range of a competent adult who is outside with the dog; or to tether or confine an animal at a vacant structure or premises for any purpose or time when it is not monitored by a competent adult who is present at the property for the duration of such tethering or confinement.

 (e) In addition to the general requirements for animal care and treatment in this article, every owner or keeper of a dog kept in the consolidated city and county shall see that such dog when confined outside:

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(2) Must be brought into a temperature controlled facility when the temperature is at or below 20°F or at or above 90°F, or when a heat advisory, wind chill warning, or tornado warning has been issued by local, state, or national authority, except when the dog in visual range of a competent adult who is outside with the dog.

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(5) Shall not be tethered except when all of the following conditions are met:

(i) The tether is not attached to a motorized vehicle, such as an automobile, truck, or motorcycle;

(ii) The dog is at least six (6) months of age and is not sick or injured;

(iii) The tethered dog has access to water, shelter, and dry ground. If there are multiple tethered dogs, each dog must be tethered separately in a manner that prevents the tethers from becoming entangled with each other or any other object, and each dog must have separate water and shelter;

(iv) The tether is attached to the dog by a properly fitting buckle-type collar, or a collar that will not break under pressure, with a rotating toggle or attachment. Pinch, prong, or choke collars shall not be used. The tether shall not wrap directly around the dog’s neck;

(v) The tether is not of such unreasonable weight as to prevent the dog from moving about freely, is free of tangles, cannot be entangled with another animal or object, and is at least twelve (12) feet in length.

(vi) If the dog is attached to a trolley system, the running line must be at least twelve (12) feet in length and the tether length must be greater than the height of the running line.

(vii) The tether is located so as not to allow the dog to trespass on public or private property nor in such a manner as to cause harm or danger to persons or other animals.

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(h) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:

(1) “Confined outside” means confined outside the house, mobile home, or apartment where the owner is living. Confined outside would include in the yard, or in a garage, shed, or barn without heating or air-conditioning. Access to a garage, shed, or barn maintained between 40°F and 80°F would not be considered confined outside.

(2) “Temperature controlled facility” means a building maintained between 40°F and 80°F.