§ 6-18. Restraining animals with rope or chain; choker collar.

(a)

No animal shall be hitched, tied, fastened or otherwise restrained by any rope, chain or cord that is directly attached to the animal's neck. Animals that must be tied, hitched or fastened to restrain them must wear a properly fitted collar or harness made of leather or nylon, not of the choker type. This does not prohibit the proper use of choker collars in the training of dogs.

(b)

No owner shall restrain their dog using a collar exceeding one and one-half (1½) inches wide for any dog weighing less than sixty (60) pounds. Dogs weighing sixty (60) pounds or more shall not be restrained using a collar exceeding two (2) inches in width.

(c)

An owner may not leave a dog outside and unattended by use of a restraint that unreasonably limits the dog's movement:

(1)

Between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.;

(2)

Within five hundred (500) feet of the premises of a school; or

(3)

In the case of extreme weather conditions

(d)

A restraint unreasonably limits a dog's movement if the restraint:

(1)

Uses a collar that is pinch-type, prong-type, or choke-type or that is not properly fitted to the dog;

(2)

Is a length shorter than the greater of:

(A)

Five (5) times the length of the dog, as measured from the tip of the dog's nose to the base of the dog's tail; or

(B)

Ten (10) feet;

(3)

Is in an unsafe condition; or

(4)

Causes injury to the dog.

The restraint shall be attached to the animal's collar or harness and must have a swivel device on the anchor and collar end to prevent tangling. A dog restrained to a running line, pulley, or trolley system and that is not restrained to the running line, pulley, or trolley system by means of a pinch-type, prong-type, choke-type, or improperly fitted collar is allowed.

(e)

An animal that is restrained must have access to adequate food, water, and shelter (as defined by this Code) at all times.

(f)

An owner shall not restrain a dog with a chain or tether that weighs more than one-eighth (⅛) of the dog's body weight.

(Ord. No. 2018-20, § 1, 8-13-2018)