§ 5-20. Fastening animals.

(a)

No animal shall be hitched, tied or fastened by any tying device (to include a pulley system) and must wear a properly fitted collar or harness made of leather or nylon, not of the choker type. The collar or harness must have been specifically designed to be used for the animal being tethered. The tying device (to include pulley systems) shall be attached to the animal's collar or harness and shall be at least ten (10) feet in length and must have a swivel device on the anchor and collar end to prevent tangling. The tying device (to include a pulley system) must provide at least one hundred fifty (150) square feet of unobstructed space.

(b)

An owner may not tether an unattended animal outside by use of a restraint that is composed primarily of a chain, has weights attached or is not attached to a properly fitted collar or harness.

(c)

No person shall tether 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 tethered using a collar exceeding two (2) inches in width. The collar must be adjusted to provide at least the circumstance of the animal's neck plus one (1) inch.

(d)

An animal that is tethered must have access to adequate shelter, clean water, dry ground and shade from direct sunlight at all times.

(e)

A person shall not tether an animal with a tying device that weighs more than one-tenth ( 1/10 ) of the animal's body weight.

(f)

No person shall tether a puppy, sick or injured animal or a female dog while the dog is in estrus.

(g)

In accordance with the Texas Health and Safety Code, an owner may not leave a dog outside and unattended by use of a restraint that unreasonably limits the dog's movement in the case of extreme weather conditions, including conditions in which the actual or effective outdoor temperature is below thirty-two (32) degrees Fahrenheit; a heat advisory has been issued by a local or state authority or jurisdiction; or a hurricane, tropical storm, or tornado warning has been issued for the jurisdiction by the National Weather Service.

(Ord. No. 2010-06-17-0555, § 1, 6-17-10; Ord. No. 2017-10-05-0755 , § 1, 10-5-17)