Cecil County, Maryland

§ 142-17 Proper shelter and care.

D. The owner of a dog shall not tie, chain, cable or in any way tether a dog outside for more than 12 hours within a twenty-four-hour period, except at sporting events, unless there is inclement weather.

E. A tether to confine a dog shall be a minimum of 4 1/2 times the length of the dog (nose to tail base) and under no circumstances less than 10 feet long (unless impossible due to property size, in which case the Animal Care and Control Authority shall set forth reasonable substitute requirements).

(1) Exceptions to this tethering length requirement shall be permitted for dogs:

(a) Actively herding, shepherding or cultivating agricultural products where tethering is reasonably necessary for the safety of the dog.

(b) During training, exhibition, performance or sporting events, including field and obedience trials, where tethering does not occur for a period exceeding seven days.

(c) When camping or during other recreational activities where written tethering requirements are set by the camping or recreational area where the dog is located.

(2) Under these exceptions, generally accepted safe tethering practices that do not endanger the dog shall still be required. The Animal Care and Control Authority shall have authority to determine what constitutes generally accepted safe tethering practices, if necessary, under these conditions.

I. The tether shall have swivels at both ends to prevent kinking and knotting. The area covered shall be maintained so that the tether cannot become entangled or pose a substantial risk of injury to the dog and shall be positioned so that the dog cannot wrap the tether around posts, trees or debris, or hang by jumping a fence or guardrail, or drown by jumping into a pool.