Lowell, Arkansas

January 20, 2015

This ordinance prohibits tethering to stationary objects but allows tethering on a running line/trolley system. It provides additional criteria such as a minimum tether length.

ORDINANCE NO. 952

Section 1. Direct-point chaining or tethering of dogs to a stationary object is prohibited. Dogs may be restrained by means of a trolley system, or a tether attached to a pulley on a cable run, or to an anchoring device, sufficient in strength to restrain the dog, to a tangle-resistant tether if the following conditions are met:

• Only one dog may be tethered to each cable run.
• The tether must be attached to a properly fitting collar or harness worn by the dog, with enough room between the collar and the dog’s throat through which two fingers may fit. Choke collars and pinch collars are prohibited for purposes of tethering a dog to a cable run, or other tangle-resistant restraint device.
• There must be a swivel on both ends of the tether to prevent tangling of the tether.
• The tether and cable run, or other anchoring device with a tangle-resistant tether, must be of adequate size and strength to effectively restrain the dog. The size and weight of the tether must not be excessive, as determined by the animal services officer, considering the age, size and health of the dog.
• The cable run must be at least ten feet in length and mounted at least four feet and no more than seven feet above ground level, and if an anchoring system is used, the tangle-resistant tether must be at least ten (10′) feet in length.
• The length of the tangle-resistant tether from the cable run, or anchoring device, to the dog’s collar should allow access to the maximum available exercise area and should allow continuous access to water and shelter. The trolley system or anchoring device and tangle-resistant tether must be of appropriate configuration to confine the dog to the owner’s property, to prevent the tether from extending over an object or an edge that could result in injury of strangulation of the dog, and to prevent the tether from becoming entangled with other objects or animals.