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Boardman to begin enforcing new dog-tethering regulations
BOARDMAN
The township soon will begin enforcing new regulations aimed at preventing dog owners from tethering their pets in an inhumane manner.
After a lobbying effort by concerned citizens that township officials say was the most-active community outreach effort they’ve seen in many years, township trustees at a meeting this week voted to adopt a resolution that stipulates the conditions under which residents may tether dogs outside.
Failure to comply with the new regulations will be punishable with a minor misdemeanor citation. Each day of continued violation is a separate offense.
Residents are forbidden from “negligently” allowing a dog to be tethered outdoors in any of the following circumstances, according to the resolution:
For more than six hours in a 24-hour period and for more than two-onsecutive hours without at least an hour between tetherings.
If a heat or cold advisory or a severe weather warning is issued by the National Weather Service for the area in which the dog is kept.
If the tether: is less than 20 feet long; allows the dog to touch a fence or cross the keeper’s property; is attached by means of a pinch-type, prong-type or choke-type collar or a collar that is unsafe or improperly fitted; may cause injury or entanglement; is made of a material unsuitable for the dog’s size or weight or causes unnecessary discomfort.
The dog is not provided with a sanitary environment free of an accumulation of feces or other waste, insect or rodent infestation and foul odor.
The occupant of the premises where the dog is kept is not present.
The resolution defines “tether” to mean a “rope, chain, cord, dog run or pulley, or similar restraint for holding an animal in place that allows a radius in which the animal can move about.”
It defines “outdoors” to mean anywhere that’s not inside a house or principal building. That includes accessory buildings, open and closed porches, breezeways, garages and carports.
About a dozen people showed up in support of adoption of the resolution. Township Administrator Jason Loree said a petition for the measure was signed by about 350 people, the most he’s seen in his nine years on the job.
Full text of the resolution will be made available at boardmantwp.com.