Tulsa, Oklahoma

Section 401. – Standards of humane care and treatment.

B. It shall be unlawful to tether any animal by use of a choke collar, or on any collar too small for the size and age of the animal, or by any rope, chain, or cord directly attached to the animal’s neck, or by a leash less than twelve (12) feet in length, or by any tether or leash without swivels on both ends, or of such unreasonable weight as to prevent the animal from moving about freely.

C. It shall be unlawful for any animal to be tethered between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.; or to tether any un-sterilized dog for any period of time or to tether or confine an animal at a vacant structure or premises for any purpose or time when it is not monitored by a competent adult who is present at the property for the duration of such tethering or confinement.

D. In addition to the general requirements for animal care and treatment in this article, every owner or keeper of a dog kept within the corporate limits of the City of Tulsa shall see that such dog when confined outside:

1. Has access to a shelter constructed of solid wood or other weather resistant material, consisting of a structure with solid walls on all sides, a dry floor raised above the ground, and a solid roof sloped away from the entrance to protect the dog from weather and extreme cold. During winter and any day when the temperature is at or below 40°F, the shelter must be just large enough for the dog to stand up and turn around, the entrance covered by a flexible wind-proofing material or self-closing door, and must contain clean, dry bedding, which must consist of an insulating material that does not retain moisture, such as straw, of sufficient depth for the dog to burrow. On any day when the temperature is at or above 85°F or a heat advisory or more severe heat-related warning has been issued by a local, state or national authority, the shelter must be shaded by trees, a tarp, or a tarp-like device and provided with natural ventilation or supplemental ventilation or cooling device including but not limited to a fan, mister or like device.

2. Must be provided access to a temperature controlled facility when the temperature is at or below 25°F or when a wind chill warning has been issued by local, state or national authority. When under a tornado warning issued by a local, state or national authority all animals must be brought into a building anchored to a foundation.

3. Has adequate space for exercise when confined in an enclosure or pen, which shall consist of no less than one hundred (100) square feet. A dog over eighty (80) pounds must be provided with an additional fifty (50) square feet. For each additional dog inside the enclosure, fifty (50) square feet of space for exercise must be added per dog.

4. Is treated so that there are no open lesions on the dog’s skin due to insect bites or other parasitic infections.

5. Shall not be tethered except when all of the following conditions are met:

(i) The tether is not attached to a motorized vehicle, such as an automobile, truck, or motorcycle; Exception – Motorized wheelchair is exempt from this requirement as long as the wheelchair is actively being used and in motion.

(ii) The dog is at least six (6) months of age and is not sick or injured;

(iii) The tethered dog has access to water, shelter, and dry ground. If there are multiple tethered dogs, each dog must be tethered separately in a manner that prevents the tethers from becoming entangled with each other or any other object, and each dog must have separate water and shelter;

(iv) The tether is attached to the dog by a properly fitting buckle-type collar, or a collar that will not break under pressure, with a rotating toggle or attachment. Pinch, prong, or choke collars shall not be used. The tether shall not wrap directly around the dog’s neck.

(v) The tether is not of such unreasonable weight as to prevent the dog from moving about freely, is free of tangles, cannot be entangled with another animal or object, and is at least twelve (12) feet in length.

(vi) If the dog is attached to a trolley system, the running line must be at least twelve (12) feet in length and the tether length must be greater than the height of the running line.

(vii) The tether is located so as not to allow the dog to trespass on public or private property nor in such a manner as to cause harm or danger to persons or other animals.