Tethering/Chaining
Oxford, North Carolina
Tether Tying out or fastening a dog outdoors on a rope, chain, or other lines for restraining a dog. The term does not mean the restraint of a dog on an attended leash.
Tethering Requirements.
(a) No person shall tether a dog to a tree, fence, post, dog house, or other stationary objects for more than three (3) hours total in a twenty-four (24) hour period. Any device used to tether shall be at least ten (10) feet long and attached in such a manner as to prevent strangulation or other injuries to the dog and entanglement with other objects. A cable trolley system may be used to tether for the allowed period so long as the stationary cable is at least ten (10) feet long and the dog can perpendicularly move at least ten (10) feet away from the stationary line. The line should be attached to the dog with a buckle-type collar or a body harness. The device used to tether shall weigh no more than ten (10) percent of the dog’s body weight and must allow the dog access to adequate food and water. In addition to being a misdemeanor, a violation of this section is subject to a civil penalty of one hundred dollars ($100.00) per day for each day of violation.
(b) Any dog that is confined in the manner described in this section shall have access to adequate shelter as herein defined to include periods of extreme weather.
Acceptable Tethering Devices
(a) Any device used to tether a dog must be at least 10-feet long and attached in a manner that prevents strangulation or other injuries to the dog, or entanglement with objects, under the ordinance. For example, a cable trolley system may be used to tether a dog for the allowed period as long as the stationary cable is at least 10-feet long and the dog can move perpendicularly at least 10-feet away from the stationary line. The line should be attached to the dog with a buckle-type collar or a body harness. In addition, the device used to tether can weigh no more than 10 percent of the animal’s body weight and must allow the dog access to food and water.
Penalties
In addition to being a misdemeanor, a violation of the dog tethering ordinance would be subject to a civil penalty of $100 per day for each day of violation.
