Alachua County, Florida

2017

It is prohibited to tether a dog or cat to a stationary object unless the animal is in visual range of the owner and the owner is outside with the animal. In such cases, certain requirements must be met.

Sec. 72.10. – Humane treatment for companion animals.
(c) Except as provided herein and in section 72.34(b) no person shall restrain a dog or cat by means of tethering, fastening, chaining, or tying to a dog house, tree, fence, or any other stationary object.
(d) Notwithstanding subsection (c), a person may tether a dog or cat when it is in visual range of the owner, and the owner is located outside with the tethered animal.
(e) In all cases where tethering is permissible, the following conditions must be met:

(1) The dog or cat must be attached to the tether by a buckle-type collar or a body harness. A dog or cat shall not be tethered by means of a choke-type, pinch-type, prong-type, or improperly fitting collar;
(2) The tether has the following properties: it is at least five times the length of the tethered animal’s body, as measured from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail; it terminates at both ends with a swivel; it does not weigh more than one-eighth of the tethered animal’s weight; and it is free of tangles;
(3) The dog or cat is tethered in such a manner as to prevent injury, strangulation, or entanglement;
(4) If there are multiple dogs or cats, each dog or cat must be tethered separately. The tethering of each dog or cat must be in accordance with the requirements of this Code;
(5) The dog or cat is not outside during a period of extreme weather, including without limitation extreme heat or near-freezing temperatures, thunderstorms, tornadoes, tropical storms, or hurricanes;
(6) The dog or cat has continuous access to water, adequate shelter, and dry ground;
(7) The dog or cat is at least six months of age. Puppies or kittens shall not be tethered; and
(8) The dog or cat is not sick or injured.