Girard Council set to vote on passage of tethering law

By Sarah Lehr

slehr@vindy.com

GIRARD

Council introduced legislation that advocates say would protect pets from being tied up outside during inclement weather.

Animal-rights advocates began lobbying council on this issue late last year.

The proposed ordinance would prohibit tethering animals during extreme hot or cold weather or when a severe-weather warning has been issued. The ordinance also would prohibit using a leash less than 12-feet long or one that could inflict strangulation or “unnecessary discomfort” on an animal.

Violating the tethering ordinance would be punishable as a misdemeanor.

Council voted Monday to send the ordinance to a second reading.

Typically, council votes on passage after three readings, but under special circumstances, council can vote to suspend the regular order of business and pass legislation as an emergency.

Bev Spicer of the animal-welfare group Nitro’s Ohio Army said she was displeased council did not pass the ordinance as an emergency, saying that, during a private meeting with animal-rights advocates, council members had indicated it would be.

“I’m very mad about this,” Spicer said. “All of Girard is a lie.”

Council did not have the votes to pass the ordinance as an emergency because several members asked for more time to consider a wording change made to the legislation Monday, Councilman Steve Shelton said.

Shelton said he expects council to pass the ordinance as an emergency during its second reading at the next regular council meeting Feb. 22.