Woodbridge Township, New Jersey

§ 11-5.11 Humane Treatment Required.

d. Tethering of Animals. As used in this section:

1. Tethering shall mean the restraining of an animal by the tying to any object or structure, including, without limitation, a house, tree, fence, post, garage, weight or shed, by any means, including, without limitation, rope, cord, leash or running line, but shall not include the use of a leash used to walk the animal or to forms of restraint used in the transportation of an animal.

2. It shall be unlawful for any person to tether, fasten, tie, restrain or cause an unattended dog to be fastened, tied or restrained to houses, trees, fences, garages, stakes or other stationary or highly immobile objects by means of a rope, strap or other physical restraint for the purpose of confinement, except in circumstances where all of the following requirements are satisfied:

(a) The tethering is for a total of no more than six (6) hours within a twenty-four (24) hour period, with a maximum of two (2) hours at any one (1) interval and a minimum one (1) hour period between confinements.

(b) The tether is attached to the dog by a non-choke type collar, swivels at both ends, and attached to the stationary object by anchors, latches, or similar devices in a manner which the dog is able to move freely and prevents the tether from becoming entangled around the dog or any object so as to limit the dog’s freedom within the tethered area or to prevent the dog, or any of its appendages, from becoming entangled by the tether.

(c) The tether shall be of a type commonly used for the size of the dog involved.

(d) The construction of the tether shall be of a lightweight, yet durable material, shall not exceed twenty (20%) percent of the animal’s weight, and may not be thicker than one-eighth (1/8) inch.

(e) The tether must be a minimum of fifteen (15) linear feet in length, less than six

(6) feet above the ground, and shall remain tangle free.

(f) The tethered dog has easy access to potable drinking water, edible food, dry ground, and adequate shade and/or shelter within the tethering area.

(g) The tethering area shall be clean, clear of obstructions and/or debris, and no less than one hundred fifty (150) square feet/per dog in total area.

(h) The dog, whether used for hunting, farming, breeding, or is an otherwise working dog, is regularly monitored while tethered for the aforementioned period of time.

3. No dog shall be tethered by means of a choke-type, pinch-type, prong-type, or improperly fitting collar.

4. Chains shall be prohibited for use as a tethering device.

5. If there are multiple dogs, each dog shall be tethered separately and in such a manner that the tethers shall not become entangled with each other.

6. No dog shall be tethered within five (5) feet of another person’s property, public thoroughfare, and/or right-of-way.

7. No dog shall be tethered in a location in which the tether would allow such dog to reach a potentially dangerous object or obstruction, including, but not limited to, a pool, fence, tree, post, railing, half wall or other object or area that poses a risk of injury or strangulation.

8. No dog shall be tethered in a location where it may be approached by and attacked by another animal or people, without the chance to escape to a protected area.

9. No dog shall be tethered at a vacant structure or premises for any purpose when it is not monitored by a competent adult who is present at the property for the duration of such tethering.

10. Dogs that are not spayed or neutered shall not be tethered for any period of time.

11. No dog that is sick or injured shall be tethered.

12. No dogs shall be tethered between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

e. No animal shall be left outside during snow storms, ice storms or thunderstorms or if the National Weather Service has issued a weather alert or storm warning.