City of Oxford issued the following announcement on Jul. 24.
Scope and purpose.
The objective of this section is to regulate the unattended restraint or tethering of dogs.
Definitions
Adequate feed. The provision of and access to food that is sufficient in quantity, prepared and provided so that the animal can consume it, and provided in a manner that is sanitary for the animal.
Adequate shelter. The shelter will keep any non-aquatic domesticated animals protected from extreme weather, dry, out of the direct path of winds, and out of the direct sun by means of artificial or natural shade. The shelter shall be adequate when access to shelter meets all of the following requirements:
(a) Is constructed of solid wood or weather-resistant material, with solid walls on all sides that is wind and moisture-proof, with a dry floor raised at least four (4) inches above the ground, a solid, water-proof roof sloped away from the entrance to protect from weather and extreme cold;
(b) With suitable bedding (hay, straw, cedar shavings, blankets, or the equivalent that is routinely changed to avoid the growth of bacteria) for insulation and protection against cold and damp sufficient for an animal to burrow to promote retention of body heat;
(c) Is out of the direct path of wind;
(d) Is free of waste or debris;
(e) Gives the animal the ability to walk, stand, turn and lie down comfortably; and
(f) With drainage to eliminate excess water and moisture, protection from rain, sleet, snow, hail and the adverse effects of heat and cold.
Adequate water. A constant access to clean, fresh water provided in a sanitary manner. During extreme cold advisories, the water must be changed frequently to prevent freezing and must be in a non-metal container. During heat advisories, the water must be changed frequently and served in a no-tipping, non-metal container to prevent heat-related injuries or death.
Extreme Weather. Weather below 40-degrees Fahrenheit or when conditions are present not limited to snow, wind, rain, ice, sleet or hail and it is reasonable to know that it poses an adverse risk based on the animal's size, age, physical condition, or thickness of the animal's hair or fur. Weather above 80-degrees Fahrenheit or exposure to direct sunlight or hot pavement, or any other hot surfaces when it is reasonable to know that it poses an adverse risk based on the animal's size, age, physical condition, or thickness of the animal's hair or fur. Additionally, when a freeze, heat, hurricane, tropical storm, or tornado warning has been issued by the National Weather Service and the temperatures that are forecasted by the warning are present.
Tether Tying out or fastening a dog outdoors on a rope, chain, or other lines for restraining a dog. The term does not mean the restraint of a dog on an attended leash.
Tethering Requirements.
(a) No person shall tether a dog to a tree, fence, post, dog house, or other stationary objects for more than three (3) hours total in a twenty-four (24) hour period. Any device used to tether shall be at least ten (10) feet long and attached in such a manner as to prevent strangulation or other injuries to the dog and entanglement with other objects. A cable trolley system may be used to tether for the allowed period so long as the stationary cable is at least ten (10) feet long and the dog can perpendicularly move at least ten (10) feet away from the stationary line. The line should be attached to the dog with a buckle-type collar or a body harness. The device used to tether shall weigh no more than ten (10) percent of the dog's body weight and must allow the dog access to adequate food and water. In addition to being a misdemeanor, a violation of this section is subject to a civil penalty of one hundred dollars ($100.00) per day for each day of violation.
(b) Any dog that is confined in the manner described in this section shall have access to adequate shelter as herein defined to include periods of extreme weather.
Acceptable Tethering Devices
(a) Any device used to tether a dog must be at least 10-feet long and attached in a manner that prevents strangulation or other injuries to the dog, or entanglement with objects, under the ordinance. For example, a cable trolley system may be used to tether a dog for the allowed period as long as the stationary cable is at least 10-feet long and the dog can move perpendicularly at least 10-feet away from the stationary line. The line should be attached to the dog with a buckle-type collar or a body harness. In addition, the device used to tether can weigh no more than 10 percent of the animal's body weight and must allow the dog access to food and water.
Penalties
In addition to being a misdemeanor, a violation of the dog tethering ordinance would be subject to a civil penalty of $100 per day for each day of violation.
EFFECTIVE DATE
This ordinance shall be in full force and effect on the first day of August, 2021
Original source can be found here.
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