Campbell gives first reading to tethering ordinance

Staff report

CAMPBELL

City council unanimously gave a first reading to a dog-tethering ordinance.

After two years in committee, council decided Wednesday evening to pass the legislation to a second reading. Council members said it took so long because of small changes to the proposed ordinance they couldn’t agree on, primarily on the prohibition of certain circumstances for tethering animals. They decided to pass the ordinance as it was first proposed and make small changes to it later.

“I’m sure this is not 100 percent perfect, but it’s a start,” said George Levendis, council president.

Animal-rights advocate Jason Cooke proposed the ordinance two years ago. It would prohibit owners from leaving their dogs tethered outdoors between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. during extreme weather conditions or other “negligible” circumstances. Violations would be a misdemeanor.

Other local communities, including Struthers, Girard, Poland and Boardman, have adopted similar tethering ordinances.