Durham County, North Carolina

Sec. 4-13. Definitions.

Tethering means tying out or fastening a dog outdoors on a rope, chain or other type of line for holding a dog. This shall not include tying out or fastening a dog outdoors on an attended leash.

Sec. 4-62. General care; prohibited acts.

All animals shall be kept and treated under sanitary and humane conditions and it shall be unlawful for any person to engage in one or more of the following acts:

(6) Tethering of a dog except under the following circumstances:

a. Tethering for a period not to exceed seven consecutive days while actively engaged in:

1. Shepherding or herding livestock.
2. Lawful dog activities such as hunting training and hunting sporting events, field and obedience training, field or water training, law enforcement training, veterinary treatment and/or the pursuit of working or competing in these legal endeavors.
3. Meeting the requirements of a camping or recreational area.
4. When participating in recognized exempt activities or when a dog is on an attended leash, tethered dogs shall be attended by a responsible person and shall be tethered in a manner that does not cause unjustifiable pain, suffering, or risk of death. Tethers must be made of rope, twine, cord, or similar material with a swivel on one end or must be made of a chain that is at least ten feet in length with swivels on both ends and which does not exceed ten percent of the dog’s body weight. All collars or harnesses used for the purpose of tethering a dog must be made of nylon or leather.