Struthers council approves ordinance regulating tethering of dogs
By Sarah Lehr
STRUTHERS
Struthers City Council approved legislation this week to regulate the tethering of dogs.
In recent years, animal- rights activists have lobbied leaders of multiple local communities urging them to adopt ordinances to prevent pets from being tied up for extended periods outside under harsh conditions. Activists say excessive tethering is inhumane and say cruel treatment can condition dogs to be vicious. Advocates also have argued it is unsightly to have possibly dangerous dogs tied up outside homes.
During its last meeting before a two-month summer recess, Struthers council passed tethering legislation as an emergency upon its first reading.
Among other restrictions, the ordinance prohibits using choke collars, pinch collars or chains to tether dogs and states a dog cannot be tethered outside when a National Weather Service severe weather warning is in effect.
The ordinance allows for certain exceptions to the tethering restrictions and states, “Nothing in this section shall prohibit the tethering of a dog that is in immediate proximity of its owner or custodian, in a manner that does not cause discomfort, pain or injury to the dog.”
Violation of the ordinance is punishable as a minor misdemeanor with a $100 fine on the first offense and a fourth-degree misdemeanor with a $300 fine on a subsequent offense. Each day of violation counts as a subsequent offense.
Other local communities, including Girard and Boardman, have adopted tethering ordinances to regulate the issue at a local level beyond Ohio animal-cruelty law.
Animal-rights activist Jason Cooke initially approached Struthers council, urging members to adopt a tethering ordinance and remove restrictions on pit bulls. Currently, Struthers does not have a pit-bull ban on the books, but an ordinance requires pit-bull owners to purchase vicious-dog insurance.
In other business, council voted this week to amend its garage-sale ordinance by increasing the garage-sale permit fee from $2 to $5 and prohibiting garage sale signs placed on utility poles. Another change permits residents to have garage sales more frequently by allowing the same residence to have a sale once every three months.
Also during the meeting, longtime Struthers resident Ruth Charles once again implored city officials to fight for their local library.
A strategic plan approved by the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County Board of Trustees raises the possibility of consolidating the Struthers, Campbell and Brownlee Woods outposts, thereby eliminating two library branches. The plan cites depopulation, efficiency issues and a need to invest in better technology at fewer locations.
“You stop a library, you stop our children,” Charles said, noting she is a product of Struthers City Schools and a volunteer at the elementary school. “I can’t talk for Campbell. I can’t talk for Brownlee Woods. ... I need to be an advocate for my community.”
She added she had previously voted for county library levies and turned her attention to the audience, stating, “Don’t let our kids be mistreated. ... Help me keep that alive and well and loud. If we keep it so professional and so nice, we’ll be sitting here with nothing.”