Taylor, Michigan

Sec. 6-14. – Tethering.

(a) Definition of tethering.

Tethering means the practice of securing a dog to a stationary object by means of a metal chain or coated steel cable, rope or any other material used for keeping a dog restrained. Tethering does not mean walking a dog on a leash, or for temporary grooming, or other professional service.

(b) Tethering.

(1) It shall be unlawful for a person to:

a. Continuously tether a dog for more than three hours per day; or

b. Tether a dog on a tether made of anything but a coated steel cable more than ten feet in length; or

c. Use a tether or any assembly or attachments thereto to tether a dog that shall weigh more than ten percent of the animal’s body weight, or due to weight, inhibit the free movement of the animal within the area tethered; or

d. Tether a dog on anything except a buckle-type collar or harness, or tethering on a choke chain or around the dog’s neck, or tethered to training collars such as choke or pinch-style collars, or in such a manner as to cause injury, strangulation, or entanglement of the dog on fences, trees, or other manmade or natural obstacles; or

e. Tether a dog without access to shade when sunlight is likely to cause overheating, or appropriate shelter to provide insulation and protection against cold and dampness when the atmospheric temperature falls below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or to tether a dog without securing its food and water supply so that it cannot be tipped over by the tether; or

f. Tether a dog in an open area where it can be teased by persons or an open area that does not provide the dog protection from attack by other animals; or

g. Tether a dog in an area where bare earth is present and no steps have been taken to prevent the surface from becoming wet and muddy in the event of precipitation; or

h. Tether a dog less than four months of age; or

i. Tether more than one dog to a single tether; or

j. Tether a dog to a stationary object which would allow a dog to come within five feet of any property line; or

k. Tether a dog without a swivel attached and/or equipped on both ends.

(2) The director of the department of public works and/or the animal control officer, or his/her designee, may in his/her discretion order a more restrictive tethering requirement if circumstances require and it is not detrimental to the health, safety or welfare of the dog.