Arlington, Washington

8.10.110 – Unlawful tethering.

(a) Any animal that is restrained by a tether must be restrained in compliance with this section.

(b) If chain is used for tethering, it must have links of 5/16 of an inch or smaller.

(c) The use of chains or choke chains as collars is prohibited. This subsection does not apply to choke chains used for training purposes when a person is present at all times and actively engaged in training the animal.

(d) Any tether must be connected to a collar or harness on a swivel or in a manner that prevents the tether from tangling.

(e) The tether may be connected to the animal only by a buckle-type or snap-on collar or a body harness made of nylon or leather. Any collar or harness must fit the animal properly.

(f) Any tether must be at least ten feet in length, and the animal must have access to clean water and adequate shelter while tethered. The shelter and water vessel must be constructed or attached in such a way that the animal cannot knock over the shelter or water vessel.

(g) If there are multiple animals tethered, each animal must be on a separate tether and not secured to the same fixed point.

(h) It is a violation:

(1) To tether any animal in such a manner as to permit the animal to leave the owner’s property;

(2) To tether any animal in such a manner that allows the animal to be within ten feet of any public right-of-way;

(3) To tether any animal in such a manner that the animal can become entangled with any obstruction or any other tethered animal or be able to partially or totally jump over any fence;

(4) To tether any animal in a manner that prevents it from lying, sitting, and standing comfortably, and without the restraint becoming taut;

(5) To tether any animal that is sick, injured, or in distress, in the advanced stages of pregnancy, or under six months of age;

(6) To tether any animal during any severe weather advisories, warnings, or emergencies that have been issued or declared by the national weather service for the location at which the animal is tethered, unless the animal is provided with natural or manmade shelter that is adequate to keep it safe, dry, and protected under such conditions;

(7) To tether any animal in a manner that results in the animal being left in unsafe or unsanitary conditions, or that forces the animal to stand, sit, or lie down in its own excrement or urine; or otherwise endangers the health or safety of the animal.

(8) To tether any animal between the hours of 11 pm and 5 am.

(i) A first offense of this section is a class 1 civil infraction under RCW 7.80.120(1)(a). A second or subsequent offense is a misdemeanor.