Orange County, NC Passed Anti-Tether Legislation
November 23rd, 2008On Tuesday November 17th, the Orange County Board of Commissioners passed an ordinance strictly limiting tethering by a 4-1 vote. Dogs can now only be tethered for three out of every twenty four hours, and there are also kennel size restrictions as well.
The Durham Kennel club, of neighboring Durham county, officially opposed the ordinance, sending a representative to read a statement authored by STCA Legislative Committee member, Kristin Tresidder, advocating the enforcement of current animal cruelty laws.
Here is a copy of the letter that was sent to the commissioners, and read at the public hearing:
“Commissioners;
Comprised of over 250 members, more than 40 of which reside in Orange County, the Durham Kennel Club (DKC) has been promoting the care and welfare of North Carolina’s dogs for over thirty-nine years. Through owner education and community involvement, the DKC has striven for the betterment of all dogs, regardless of their background. The DKC officially opposes legislation limiting the rights of responsible dog owners to keep dogs in a humane manner, including anti-tether legislation. Where there are already laws in place dealing with neglect and animal cruelty, there is no need for further legislation to address the same issues.
The Orange County Animal Cruelty ordinance currently in place states:
“All animals in Orange County are required to have the following:
* Adequate Food – Animals should be fed with foodstuff that is nutritious and suitable for the species and age group. Such foodstuff shall be provided at least every 24 hours and served in a clean receptacle, dish, or container that is free of contaminants that may be injurious to the health of the animal.
* Adequate Water – Animals must receive constant access to a supply of clean, fresh water provided in a sanitary manner.
* Adequate Shelter – Non-aquatic animals shall be provided shelter which will keep them dry, out of the direct path of winds and the sun, and at a temperature level that is healthful for the animal. The animal containment area shall be free of accumulated waste and debris so that the animal can walk or lie down without coming in contact with any such waste or debris, and a suitable method of draining shall be provided to eliminate rapidly excess water or moisture.
* Aquatic animals shall have an adequate amount of clean water in which to move..”
http://www.co.orange.nc.us/animalservices/occruelty.asp
Considering that it is entirely possible, indeed easy, to tether a dog while meeting all of the stated requirements above, it is contradictory to define tethering in and of itself an act of cruelty punishable by law. Dogs tethered in a manor inconsistent with existing laws are already protected under said laws. We support the cruelty laws as they stand now and fully condone continued efforts to enforce them against those that choose not to comply. Those dog owners who keep their dogs responsibly on tethers, meeting all the requirements of the law, should not be penalized for the negligent actions of those who choose not to abide by the law.
Every “issue” broached in the proposed anti-tether legislation is already addressed by the current animal cruelty laws: adequate shelter, veterinary care, food and water, waste removal, etc. Anti-tether bills, such as this one are couched in emotional appeals, and personal anecdotes, rather than being based on factual evidence. Pictures of starving puppies on logging chains are used to sell a horror story, one not representative of the norm, to sympathetic dog lovers, the majority of which keep their dogs strictly inside as house dogs. It is entirely possible to tether a dog responsibly in a manner consistent with, and even above and beyond, all existing levels of mandatory care. Whether an outdoor dog lives in a kennel or on a tether, the obligation exists to keep the dog responsibly, which is contingent upon a combination of love, and common sense – neither of which can be created through legislation. “
