Pembroke Pines, FL: tethering ordinance passes first reading

Legislation - Florida
Monday, 28 June 2010 12:21

Proposed Ordinance 2010-12 (Dog Tethering)

1. At the request of City Commission at the April 7th, 2010 City Commission meeting, staff has sought input and facilitated the drafting of a new ordinance to regulate the acceptable tethering of dogs.

2. Staff held meetings with various stakeholders to provide input. A multi-disciplinary and diverse viewpoint group was convened a)to discuss and review initiatives regarding dog management b) to sort out specifics of those initiatives and provide specific guidance to the City Attorney's office, regarding the drafting of the ordinance. The group reviewed the ordinance in its substantively final form and agreed to the language of the ordinance. The group included residents who were proponents of animal rights, a humane society representative, a representative of Dogs Deserve Better, a police K-9 handler, an Assistant City Attorney, the Code Compliance Department Director, the Chief of Police and Police Department Staff. Participation by past victims of dog bites was sought by the Code Compliance Department Director, but none chose to participate.

3. The proposed ordinance restricts the conditions under which dogs can be placed on any type of tether as defined in the ordinance. It specifically addresses or restricts the following:
a. Manner of tethering
b. Visual range of the owner
c. Minimum and maximum length of the tether
d. Weight of the tether
e. Specifications for pulley, running line, and trolley systems
f. Extreme weather conditions
g. Access to clean drinking water, shade, dry ground, and shelter
h. Good health requirement for the animal

4. The proposed ordinance will aid the City in its enforcement efforts to protect the animals, prevent animal cruelty, and make the neighborhoods of the City safer and more peaceful for persons in the proximity of the dog.

5. On June 16, 2010, City Commission passed Proposed Ordinance No. 2010-12 on first reading, as amended to have a heat-index cap of 85 degrees in subsection (8).

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