Virginia Beach, Virginia

Sec. 5-501. – Adequate space for animals; time restriction on tethering animals.

(a) It shall be unlawful to fail to provide any animal with adequate space. “Adequate space” means sufficient space to allow each animal to (i) easily stand, sit, lie, turn about, and make all other normal body movements in a comfortable, normal position for the animal and (ii) interact safely with other animals in the enclosure.

(b) When an animal is tethered, “adequate space” means a tether that permits the above actions and is appropriate to the age and size of the animal. The tether must be attached to the animal by a properly applied collar, halter, or harness configured so as to protect the animal from injury and prevent the animal or the tether from becoming entangled with other objects or animals, or from extending over an object or edge that could result in the strangulation or injury of the animal. Furthermore, the tether must be at least fifteen (15) feet in length, or four (4) times the length of the animal, as measured from the tip of its nose to the base of its tail, whichever is greater, except when the animal is being walked on a leash or is attached by a tether to a lead line or when an animal control officer, having inspected an animal’s individual circumstances, has determined that in such an individual case, a tether of at least ten (10) feet or three (3) times the length of the animal, but shorter than fifteen (15) feet or four (4) times the length of the animal, makes the animal more safe, more suited, and better equipped to tolerate its environment than a longer tether. The tether shall not, by its material, size, or weight or any other characteristic, cause injury or pain to the animal; shall not weigh more than one-tenth of the animal’s body weight; and shall not have weights or other heavy objects attached to it. The walking of an animal on a leash by its owner shall not constitute the tethering of the animal for the purpose of this definition. When freedom of movement would endanger the animal, temporarily and appropriately restricting movement of the animal according to professionally accepted standards is considered to be provision of adequate space. The provisions of this definition that relate to tethering shall not apply to agricultural animals.

(c) It shall be unlawful for any dog to be tethered for more than one (1) hour, cumulatively in any twenty-four-hour period.