Frederick County, Maryland

September 23, 2008

This ordinance prohibits chaining dogs for more than 10 hours at a time. A non choke-type collar or body harness must be used to secure dogs to tethers and tethers must be at least four times the length of the dog’s body or a minimum of 10 feet in length, with swivels at both ends.

§ 1-5-26 . PROPER RESTRAINT, SHELTER, PROTECTION AND CARE FOR DOGS.

(A) Restraint requirement.

(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to tether, fasten, chain, tie, restrain or cause a dog to be fastened, chained, tied or restrained to any stationary or inanimate object by means of a rope, chain, strap or other physical restraint for the purpose of confinement for more than ten hours, cumulatively in any 24-hour period.

(2) The dog must be tethered by a non-choke type collar or a body harness to a tether that is at least four times the body length of the dog, measured from the dog’s nose to the back of the hindquarters, or at a minimum be ten feet in length, and which the tether is free from entanglement.

(3) The tether shall have swivels at both ends and all areas of confinement shall be maintained as to provide a safe and healthy environment for the dog.