§ 4-79. Dogs on public property and tethering.

(a)

It shall be lawful and not a violation of this article to permit, or bring a dog onto those areas of public property within the city limits that are designated as "dog-friendly areas", provided that the dog is leashed and under the direct control of the person responsible for or keeper of the dog. "Dog-friendly areas" of the city's property, as used herein, shall mean the city's parks (exclusive of and not including athletic fields designated as playing fields such as soccer, baseball, or football fields; and those areas of city parks which include playground equipment, such as swings, climbing devices, or other improvements designed for play by children), the designated dog parks in any city park, public streets and sidewalks. Except as provided above, it shall be unlawful and a violation of this article to permit, or bring a dog onto public property within the city limits. Public property, as used in this section, shall mean and include, without limitation, public school grounds and public buildings and the yards thereof (except as identified above). Public property shall not include street and/or sidewalk rights-of-way.

(b)

Except as provided above, it shall be unlawful to tether a dog by a fixed anchor tether system except as follows:

(1)

Any activity where a dog is temporarily tethered or restrained by a chain rope, leash or similar device by a fixed anchor tether system (a tether with a singular fixed stationary object) for a duration of time that does not exceed three hours in a 24-hour period;

(2)

Lawful animal event (such as a show or sporting event);

(3)

Lawful hunting activities, if reasonably necessary for the safety of the dog;

(4)

While a dog is actively engaged in shepherding or herding livestock;

(5)

Law enforcement activities;

(6)

Camping or other recreation where tethering is required by the camping or recreational area where the dog is located;

(7)

After taking possession of a dog that appears to be a stray dog and after having advised animal control authorities of the capture of dog, tether and restrain the dog in accordance with the provisions for a period not to exceed seven days; and

(8)

By a "lawful tethering system" as defined hereinafter. A "lawful tethering system" is defined as a system with the minimal length of the cable along which the tethering device can move, must be at least thirty feet, and the tethering device must be of such length that the dog is able to move ten feet away from the cable perpendicularly and attached in such a manner as to prevent strangulation or other injury to the dog and entanglement with objects. Lawful tethers must be made of rope, twine, cord or similar material with a swivel on one end or must be made of a chain that is at least ten feet in length with a swivel on both ends and which does not exceed ten percent of the dog's body weight. Pulley, running line, or trolley systems must be at least thirty feet in length and less than seven feet above the ground and be free from obstructions and tangle points. No person shall tether with a chain or wire or other device a dog in such a manner that does not allow the dog access to adequate food, water and shelter.

(c)

This section shall not apply to Seeing Eye dogs, nor to dogs brought upon public grounds for purposes or organized exhibitions, nor shall it apply to purely incidental presence of dogs when in transit crossing public grounds and leashed or otherwise properly restrained by its owner or other responsible person.

(Code 1952, ch. G, art. IV, § II(G); Ord. No. OA-18-02 , 12-3-2018)