Surry County, North Carolina

§ 90.097. ANIMAL WELFARE.

(A) Owners must provide adequate food, shelter, and water as defined in §§ 90.001 et seq.

(B) Tethering. It shall be unlawful for any person to restrain a dog using a chain, wire or other type of tethering device in a manner prohibited by this subchapter.

(C)(1)   No person shall tether, fasten, chain, tie, or restrain a dog, or cause such restraining of a dog, to a cable trolley system, that allows movement of the restraining device. During periods of tethering that are not unlawful under this division:

(a) The length of the cable along which the tethering device can move must be at least ten feet;

(b) The tethering device must be of such length that the dog is able to move 15 feet away from the cable perpendicularly; and

(c) The tethering device must be attached in such manner as to prevent strangulation or other injury to the dog and entanglement with objects.

(2) During periods of lawful tethering under this subchapter, 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 10% of the dog’s body weight. All collars or harnesses used for the purpose of the lawful tethering of a dog must be made of nylon or leather. No person shall tether a dog with a chain or wire or other device to, or cause such attachment to, any collar other than a buckle type collar or body harness. No person shall tether with a chain or a wire or other device to, or cause such attachment to, a head harness, choke-type collar or pronged collar to a dog. No person shall tether with a chain, wire or other device to a dog where the weight of the tethering device and the collar combined exceeds 10% of the dog’s body weight. No person shall tether with a chain or wire or other device a dog in such a manner that does not allow the dog access to adequate food, water or shelter. No person shall tether a sick, diseased and/or injured dog.

Sec. 90.098. EXEMPTIONS.

Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, a person may tether and restrain a dog under the following circumstances:

(A) Usage of the dog in shepherding or herding livestock;

(B) Use of the dog in the business of cultivating agricultural products, where the restraining is reasonably necessary for the safety of the dog;

(C) Use of the dog in lawful hunting activities;

(D) Use of the dog at a dog training, or performance events, including but not limited to the field trials and obedience trials where tethering does not occur for a period exceeding seven consecutive days;

(E) Camping or other recreation where tethering is required by the camping or recreational area where the dog is located;

(F) Any activity where a tethered dog is in visual range of its owner or keeper, and the owner or keeper is located outside with the dog;

(G) After taking possession of a dog that appears to be a stray, having first advised Animal Control authorities of the capture of dog, the dog may be tethered or restrained in accordance with these provisions for a period not to exceed seven days in order to determine the identity of the dog or its owner;

(H) Walking a dog with a hand-held leash; and/or

(I) In accordance with tethering restrictions in effect within any of the municipalities in Surry County. In the event one or more of the municipalities in Surry County adopts this Animal Control and Animal Welfare Ordinance, its terms shall apply within that/those municipalities.

(J) Up to one year after this ordinance version goes into effect. There will be a one year grace period for owners to comply with § 90.097 (B).

(K) In accordance with registration of an exemption application, acceptance of exemption application by Surry County Animal Control, and strict adherence § 90.097 (C). Once a Surry County citizen has applied for an exemption to restrain their animal, if deemed acceptable, will be considered an exemption to the no-tethering ordinance rule.