Westchester lawmakers adopt law restricting outdoor tethering of dogs

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Tethering for longer than two hours now prohibited

WHITE PLAINS – The Westchester County Board of Legislators passed a bill to protect pets by restricting how and when dogs can be tethered outdoors.

Under the measure adopted Monday, dogs in the county no longer will be allowed to be tethered outdoors overnight or during a weather alert. And tethering to a stationary object is banned for dogs less than six months old, sick or injured, or nursing mothers whose offspring are present.

The new measure requires someone to be home when a dog is tied up outdoors and defines what types of tethers are safe and acceptable, and requires tethered dogs to have adequate access to food, water, dry ground, sufficient space, among other conditions to ensure safe and humane treatment.

“This is a clear, specific, focused piece of legislation that not only will protect the safety of animals, but also gives animal control officers unambiguous guidelines to enforce, making their job easier,” said Legislator Kitley Covill, a co-sponsor of the measure.

The bill goes to County Executive George Latimer, who is expected to sign it into law.




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