Viriginia town bans dog tethering
The Virginia city of Suffolk has approved a ban on dog-tethering, effective the first of September.
After months of wrangling over details and considering compromises, the city council voted 6-2 to enact an outright ban on dog-tethering, the Virginian-Pilot reported.
Suffolk joins a growing number of Virginia cities that have taken steps to ban or limit tethering dogs outside. Hampton forbids it, and Portsmouth, Norfolk and Virginia Beach limit tethering to a maximum of three hours a day.
Suffolk City Councilman Mike Duman, who had proposed a 10-hour a day limit, said he was pleased with the outcome.
Police Chief Thomas Bennett told the council an outright ban would be easier to enforce than restricting tethering to a certain number of hours a day.
The ordinance makes tethering a Class Four misdemeanor punishable by a $250 fine.
(Photo: A tethered dog photographed in the Pleasant Hill area of Suffolk; by Jason Hirschfeld / The Virginian-Pilot)
Posted by jwoestendiek March 22nd, 2013 under Muttsblog.
Tags: animals, banned, bans, city council, dog, dogs, fine, hampton, law, misdemeanor, norfolk, outside, pets, portsmouth, restrictions, suffolk, tethering, tying, virginia, virginia beach
Comments
Comment from Kathy in KC
Time March 23, 2013 at 8:56 pm
I was expecting a 15-minute limit. That is what I do, except in fair weather when I am outside with my 5 dogs (I am a licensed foster home) and I cannot imagine leaving a dog for longer unsupervised for safety reasons. I hope to build a fence this year and no longer use tie-outs for potty. No dog should have to be tied up alone for more than 15 minutes.
Comment from Kathy in KC
Time March 23, 2013 at 9:04 pm
I’ll follow up and say that I commend the actions of the town, though I hope that foster homes within the town can quickly comply. I don’t like tying up my dogs for potty at all, though I am trying hard to raise the money to build my fence. I think this law can be used to great benefit to help dogs who are tied up 24/7 and I hope not to punish people who attach their poodle to a run-wire for 10 minutes so she can go to the bathroom.
Comment from kimberlie young
Time March 25, 2013 at 1:48 pm
If one can stand there while a dog uses a run wire to go to the bathroom, why can’t the same person take the dog on a walk to accomplish the same thing? That being said, I do not think there would be a complaint if the owner was there with the dog while the dog was on the tether (for example, if the person was disabled and could not walk the dog.) The intent is to prohibit people from using tethers as dogsitters.
Comment from Wendy
Time March 22, 2013 at 3:06 pm
may your humane actions spread like wildfire!!!