Should neighbors help enforce tether laws? My Daddy would be 90 years old today had he not died prematurely at 51 years of age. He taught me so many things, among them, the responsibility we have to care for our pets.
When humans first brought wild dogs into our homes, we taught them to rely upon us. We must provide them with food, water, and shelter.
We accepted a much larger responsibility as well. This leads me to the discussion on “should neighbors help enforce tether laws?”.
What is the back story on should neighbors help enforce tether laws?
The Johnson City, Tennessee ordinance against tethering dogs has been in place for several weeks. However, no one has reported a dog as being tethered outside.
The ordinance passed because enough people thought this was a problem. So, it is strange that no one is reporting it taking place. Is this a good thing or a bad thing?
Citations against dog owners tethering their dogs outside for long periods of time was never the goal!
The real goal of this ordinance is EDUCATION. Can we educate the public? If so, maybe we can prevent excessive outside tethering and avoid problems for dogs.
Education and prevention rather than punishment are what the ordinance is all about.
What does the Ordinance state?
The Johnson City Commission passed the ordinance unanimously in November of 2019. The number of hours that a dog may be tethered outside without supervision is limited by this ordinance to 12 consecutive hours.
Nicole Stuwa is an animal control officer who speaks about the ordinance. She says the goal for such events to bring attention to the problem. They wish to meet with the dog owner and to educate them.
They are rolling out the ordinance progressively.
Right now, pulley systems are allowed if they meet specific criteria. There must be a minimum of 10 feet between each support section of the pulley system. The ordinance requires the pulley systems to be between four and seven feet off the ground.
You may not chain or tether PUPPIES under six months old at all.
As of January 2021, no unsupervised tethering will be allowed within the city limits for dogs of any age. If found guilty on three occasions, the dog will be removed from the home.
How will offenders be identified? Should neighbors help enforce tether laws?
We won’t see animal control officers paroling the city streets looking for unattended dogs tethered for long periods of time. It will be left to the neighbors of dog owners who are breaking the law.
They are requesting people to bring dog tethering to their attention. The officers will then speak with the owners. Their goal is to educate them on their options and the new ordinance.
What counts as “proof”?
A photo can prove that a dog is tethered. A photo cannot, however, prove how long an animal is left unsupervised and tethered. Videos do a much better job of this but you must be very careful.
Don’t Be A Stalker!
Keep all video clips shorter than five minutes for your protection. You will be stalking if you tape for greater than five minutes at a time. By only taping for two or three minutes, every two or three hours you will be safe.
You must comment on how long the dog was left in that position and that he was not taken inside during that time. If the next clip shows the dog in the same position, it is even more powerful evidence.
This information allows animal control officers to determine how long the dog was tethered unsupervised.
Is anything else being done to help prevent tethering?
YES. There is assistance for obtaining a fence for the dog owner’s yard. If they meet certain criteria, free fences may be available.
- All animals on the property are spayed or neutered
- All animals on the property are up-to-date on rabies vaccinations
- The owner of the property consents to the fence.
What is the back story on should neighbors help enforce tether laws?
The Johnson City ordinance against tethering dogs has been in place for three weeks. However, not one case of dogs being tethered outside has been reported. There was enough of a problem identified for an ordinance to be passed. So, it is strange that no one is reporting on it being a problem. Is this a good thing or a bad thing?
Citations against dog owners tethering their dogs outside for long periods of time was never the goal!
The real goal of this ordinance is EDUCATION. The goal is to avoid problems for the dog. Education and prevention rather than punishment are what the ordinance is all about.
The purpose of the Ordinance is very specific
The Johnson City Commission passed the ordinance unanimously in November of 2019. The number of hours that a dog may be tethered outside without supervision is limited to 12 consecutive hours. by this ordinance.
Nicole Stuwa is an animal control officer who speaks about the ordinance. She says that their goal is to have such events brought to their attention so they can meet with the dog owner and educate them.
Right now, pulley systems are allowed if they meet specific criteria. There must be a minimum of 10 feet between each support section of the pulley system. The ordinance requires the pulley systems to be between four and seven feet off the ground.
You cannot tether or chain PUPPIES under six months old at all.
As of January 2021, no unsupervised tethering will be allowed within the city limits for dogs of any age.
If you wish to read more about this go to https://wcyb.com/news/local/new-johnson-city-ordinance-restricts-chaining-of-dogs-outside
How will offenders be found? Should neighbors help enforce tether laws?
You will not see officers from animal control paroling the city streets seeking to find unattended dogs tethered for long periods of time. It will be left to the neighbors of dog owners who are breaking the law.
They are requesting people to bring dog tethering to their attention. The officers will then speak with the owners, educating them on their options and the new ordinance.
Whether or not neighbors should help enforce tether laws is controversial. How do you feel about it? No one wants to be a “Tattle-Tale”.
The childhood taunt, “Snitches get stitches” comes to mind as well. Do we have a moral responsibility to help protect our neighbor’s dog?
If we do have a moral obligation to report tethering, what counts as “proof”?
Photos make it easy to prove that a dog is tethered. They cannot, however, prove how long an animal is left unsupervised and tethered. Videos do a much better job of this but you must be very careful.
Do Not Be A Stalker!
Keep all video clips shorter than five minutes for your protection. Legally speaking, stalking is taping more than five consecutive minutes. By only taping for two or three minutes, every two or three hours you will be safe.
They require a comment on how long the dog had been left in that position and that he was not taken inside during that time. If the next clip shows the dog in the same position, it is even more powerful evidence.
Give them what they need to verify your claim.
Is anything else being done to help prevent tethering?
YES. There is assistance for obtaining a fence for the dog owner’s yard. If they meet certain criteria, free fences may be available.
- All animals on the property are spayed or neutered.
- All animals on the property are up-to-date on rabies vaccinations
- The owner of the property consents to the fence.
This is just for inside the city limits, right?
For now, but there is an effort underway to pass a similar ordinance in the county. Regardless of where we and our canine companions reside, we must care for them appropriately.
Does your community have a no-tether ordinance? Should neighbors help enforce tether laws?
Do you support such laws? Is there ever a good reason to tether a dog unsupervised? Should neighbors help enforce tether laws?
I would love to hear your opinion on this topic. It is a very emotional one and most people do have an opinion about it. Please share your opinion in the comment box below.
Photos courtesy of Pixabay