§ 5-42. Tethering of dogs.

It shall be unlawful to tether a dog, except as follows. A dog may be restrained to an overhead running line, pulley, trolley system, and/or ground trolley run under the following conditions:

(a)

The tether is attached to the dog by means of a suitable, properly-fitted collar or harness not exceeding two (2) inches in width. Choke or prong collars or link chains are not permitted to be used as a collar. The tether must have a swivel on both ends.

(b)

The tether provides access to adequate space for the dog to move about freely and cannot become entangled in such a way that would prevent the dog's mobility or cause strangulation.

(c)

At minimum, the tether should be four (4) times the length of the dog from the tip of nose to the tip of the tail and the tether must allow the dog to lie down with its head flat on the ground and provide an additional twelve (12) inches of slack.

(d)

The tether is made of a durable, lightweight material that will not cause unnecessary stress on the dog. The tether shall not weigh more than three percent of the dog's total body weight. Thick chains and other heavy lines are prohibited.

(e)

The tether allows the dog to move at least twenty (20) feet.

(f)

The tether does not inhibit the animal's access to shelter, shade, food and water.

(g)

Intact dogs may not be tethered under any circumstances.

(h)

No animal shall be tethered as a means of permanent confinement; such permanent confinement by tethering shall be considered as cruel treatment.

(i)

Dogs must not be left tethered outside in areas designated as emergency declarations.

(j)

At no time shall a dog be tethered to a moveable object in which the dog must physically move the object in order to move about.

(k)

If the parish animal control department determines upon inspection that an animal owner or keeper is not in compliance with the provisions of this section, the department shall provide written notice to the owner or keeper as such. Failure by the owner to comply within twenty four (24) hours or any other amount of time as stipulated by the animal control officer of receiving notice shall result in the temporary impoundment of all animals on the offending property(s) by the animal control department. The animal control department may remove any animal from the property if the removal is deemed necessary by the agency to protect the health and well-being of the animal. All animals shall be promptly returned to the owner or keeper upon a determination by the agency that the owner or keeper has come into compliance with this section. The owner or keeper shall be responsible for all boarding fees for the impoundment of animals.

(Ord. No. 17-122, § 5, 9-14-17)