Tethering Laws

Ohio Cities/Municipalities that have passed tethering laws:
Akron, Alliance, Anderson Township, Bexley, Boardman, Brook Park, Brunswick, Buckeye Lake, Canton, Chagrin Falls, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Columbia Township, Dayton, Delaware, Dennison, Eastlake, Elyria, Euclid, Girard, Green Hills, Howland Township, Lancaster, Lorain, Maple Heights, Lyndhurst, Marietta, Mentor, Miami Township, Middletown, New Richmond, Niles, North Canton, North Royalton, Norwood, Poland Township, Poland Village, Richmond Heights, South Euclid, Springfield Township, Struthers, Tallmadge, Toledo, Warren, West Carrolton, Whitehall, Willoughby, Youngstown (possibly Blendon Township)

Details of laws passed by some Ohio cities

City of Columbus Tethering Law

Columbus residents could be charged with a misdemeanor if a dog is chained outside between the hours of 10pm and 6am or during severe weather. The ordinance bans tethering with a pinch, prong or choke collar, as well as a chain with a padlock.

City of Bexley Tethering Law

The new law bans the following:

Tethering an animal outdoors unattended between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. and in the event of a severe cold or heat advisory by a local, state or national government authority.
Tethering animals with a pinch, prong or choke-type collar, or any type of tether that is unsuitable for an animal’s size and weight.
Using a tether that is entangled or does not allow free movement of the animal for the tether’s full length.
Tethering animals in a manner that could allow entanglement with a fence or other tethered animals.
Tethering an animal in a manner that will allow it to reach the property of another person other than the pet owner, a public walkway or a road.

Individuals who violate the law can be charged with a fourth-degree misdemeanor for a first offense, which could result in a $250 fine and/or 30 days in jail. Each subsequent offense would be a third-degree misdemeanor punishable by a $350 fine and/or as long as 60 days in jail.

Boardman Tethering Law

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.

Struthers Tethering Law

Cleveland Tethering Law

no person shall tether an animal in any of the following circumstances:
For more than 6 hours total in a 24-hour period and not more than 2 consecutive hours with no less than a one-hour period between tetherings; Between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.;

If a heat or cold advisory has been issued by a local or state authority or the National Weather Service;

If a severe weather warning has been issued by a local or state authority or the National Weather Service;

If the tether is less than 20 feet in length;

If the tether allows the animal to touch the fence or cross the property line or cross onto public property;

If the tether is attached by means of a pinch-type, prong-type, or choke-type collar or if the collar is unsafe or is not properly fitted;

If the tether may cause injury or entanglement;

If the animal is not provided with its needs as identified in division (b) of Section 603.091;

If the tether is made of a material that is unsuitable for the animal's size and weight or that causes any unnecessary discomfort to the animal.

Last Updated May 22, 2020

The Effects of Chaining and Tethering Dogs Outside:
Tethering dogs outside for long periods leads to substantial behavioral and health problems, in addition to subjecting the dogs to suffering and psychological damage. Dogs are, by nature, social animals. They were domesticated by humans for companionship. Even a friendly and gentle dog can be transformed into an anxious, troubled and aggressive animal when constantly chained.

Organizations that can assist with tethered dogs:
Dogs Deserve Better
Unchain America
Beyond Fences
Unchain Oklahoma
Unchain Pennsylvania Dogs
Unchain Your Dog, ideas to help chained dogs

City of Delaware Tethering Law
The county does not have a law. REFERENCE Oct 25, 2017
www.delgazette.com/news/62707/delaware-city-council-adopts-anti-tethering-measure
Dog owners within the City of Delaware who leave their canines tethered while unattended for longer than 15 minutes during the late evening and early morning hours are now in violation of a city ordinance.
City Council on Monday, by a 6-1 vote (council member George Hellinger voted no), approved an ordinance amending the neglect of companion animals section of the animal and fowls chapter of the city’s codified ordinances.
Prior to approving the ordinance, council took a separate vote on whether or not to include in the measure an anti-tethering amendment.
Despite several members expressing concerns over the amendment, council approved adding it to the ordinance by a 5-2 vote (council members Kyle Rohrer and Hellinger voted no).
Under the new law, a companion animal can’t be left unattended and restrained by a tether outdoors in excess of 15 continuous minutes between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
The ordinance states a companion animal is considered unattended when “no owner or harborer is present and awake on the premises the companion animal is present.”

He added while he would have liked to see no tethering allowed at all, prohibiting dogs from being chained up and unattended between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. will help law enforcement protect canines from being neglected by giving officers “ammunition to go on the premises to investigate further” issues like inadequate shelter, etc.
“It’s a little easier to see tethering as opposed to whether the inside of the dog house has a damp floor or it’s two inches off the ground,” Jones said.

“If the owner is home and awake, it doesn’t prohibit them from tying the dog up outside,” Shafer said. “We are not totally restricting people from tying their animal out provided they are paying attention to it.”
He added, the premise behind the anti-tethering amendment is to crack down on people not paying attention to their dogs.
Hellinger, who voted against both the amended neglect of companion animals ordinance and the anti-tethering amendment, said the prior ordinance on the books already prohibited owners from neglecting their dogs and allowing them to bark all night long.
“I don’t know what we gain,” he said. “I think we just enforce the laws that are there today.”
Despite council approving the amended ordinance, Hellinger said, enforcing it will remain a complaint-driven process as “we are not going to have our police officers going around looking for tethered dogs.”

Elyria Tethering Law

Tethering for more than 10 hours within a 24-hour period. Tethering between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. for a time period in excess of 10 minutes, if the companion animal is unaccompanied by its owner. Tethering in the event that a heat or cold advisory or severe weather warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for Elyria. Use of a tether less than five times the companion animal’s length or less than 15 feet regardless of the dog’s length. Use of a tether that allows a dog to move beyond its owner’s property line or onto public property, right-of-way or the sidewalk. Use of a tether that uses a pinch, prong or choke-type collar, or if the collar, harness or attachment is otherwise unsafe, improperly fitted or poses risk of injury or entanglement. Tethering if the dog is not provided with a sanitary environment free from an accumulation of animal waste and with sufficient qualities of food, water and shelter from the elements. Using a tow chain, log chain or similar apparatus as a tether.

Youngstown Tethering Law

The ordinance includes 11 conditions that dog owners must follow if their dog is tethered outside, including:
a) the owner is present on the property
b) such tethering does not exceed sixty (60) continuous minutes
c) the dog is six (6) months of age or older
d) if female, the dog is sterilized or not in estrus
e) the tether does not exceed ten percent (10%) of the dog’s body weight
f) the tether is at least three (3) times the length of the dog from the tip of its nose to the base of its tail
g) the tether allows the dog to easily stand, sit, lie, turn around, and make all other normal body movements in a comfortable normal position for the dog
h) the tether allows the dog to interact safely with other animals, if at all

Akron Tethering Law

Prohibit owners from tying up pets for more than three hours at a time or for more than six hours in a day. Owners are also prohibited from tethering animals between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Require any chain or line used to tie up an animal is at least five times the length of the animal's body.
Increase the first-time penalty for animal cruelty charges from a minor misdemeanor to a fourth-degree misdemeanor, worth up to 30 days in jail.
Impose new requirements for outdoor shelters, including adequate insulation and at least 2 inches of separation between the floor of the animal's shelter and the ground.
Require owners to bring animals inside in the event of a heat advisory, wind chill or cold advisory, or a severe weather warning.

Dayton Tethering Law

Sec. 91.62. - Confinement of dogs.
SHARE LINK TO SECTION PRINT SECTION DOWNLOAD (DOCX) OF SECTIONS EMAIL SECTION COMPARE VERSIONS(A) Except as otherwise limited by § 91.50, dogs may be considered to be secure on the premises of the owner if they are enclosed or tethered on the property of such owner.
(B) Chaining or tethering. Dogs may be restrained by means of a trolley system or a tether attached to a pulley on a cable run or to a fixed point, if the following conditions are met:
(1) Only one dog may be tethered to each cable run or stationary point.
(2) The tether must be attached to a properly fitting collar or harness worn by the dog, with enough room between the collar and the dog's throat through which two adult human fingers may fit. Choke collars, prong collars and pinch collars are prohibited for purposes of tethering a dog.
(3) The chain or tether must have swivels on both ends.
(4) The tether or chain or cable run must be of adequate size and strength to effectively restrain the dog. However, the chain or tether shall weigh no more than one-eighth of the dog's weight.
(5) The chain or tether must be at least 15 feet in length. If not attached to a fixed point. the chain or tether must be attached to a pulley or trolley mounted on a cable which is also at least 15 feet in length and mounted no more than seven feet above the ground.
(6) The dog shall be tethered at a distance any other objects (a) to tangling of the chain or tether, (b) to prevent extending the chain or over an object or an that could result in strangulation, and (c) to prohibit the dog access to any fence.
(7) The dog shall have continuous access to water and shelter.
(8) No dog shall be chained or tethered to a stationary point for more than two consecutive hours in a 12-hour period.
(9) No dog shall be chained or tethered for more than 12 consecutive hours a 24-hour period.
(C) Enclosures. Any dog enclosed in a pen or a fenced yard must have adequate space for exercise based on a dimension of at least 150 square feet per dog. The fence or enclosure shall be of sufficient height to prevent the dog from escaping from the enclosed area. If the enclosed area has a cover, such cover must be at least two feet above the height of the dog standing on its hind legs. Dogs in an enclosed area must have continuous access to water and shelter.
(D) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit owners or others from walking dogs with a hand held leash.
(E) Any person who violates division (B) or (C) of this section shall be guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(Ord. 31315-14, passed 6-25-14)

Lancaster Tethering Law

Requires water bowls to be either weighted or mounted to prevent tipping, and prohibits animal owners or caretakers from tethering or restraining animals in any way that could cause injury or entanglement.
It also calls for dry, enclosed and insulated shelters with one entrance. Shelters also must have moisture-proof flooring that is raised at least 2 inches above the ground.

Lorain Tethering Law

The Lorain ordinance defines a “tether” as a rope, chain, cord, pulley or similar restraint and states that an animal is allowed to be tethered for a total of 10 hours in a 24-hour period.
It further states that an animal cannot be left outside between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., or when a heat, cold or severe weather advisory is issued for the city or area.
The tether must be no less than five times the length of the dog or 15 feet, be made of a material that is suitable for the animal’s size and keep the animal within the owner’s property.
pinch, prong or choke type collars also are prohibited when used with tethers, but are still acceptable for walking and training purposes.