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WA: Dog tethering law goes into effect Sunday

Vicki

Administrator
Dog tethering law goes into effect Sunday

Kelsie Morgan Posted: Jul 23, 2017 06:51 PM PDT Updated: Jul 24, 2017 08:04 AM PDT


Dog tethering law goes into effect...

WASHINGTON - A new Washington law concerning inhumane dog tethering has gone into effect. As of Sunday, dog owners in the state could face new penalties if they leave their dogs tied to a fence or post unattended.

The law makes it illegal for a person to leave a dog tethered for a substantial amount of time without providing the dog with access to food and water.

Governor Inslee signed the bill in April, making Washington one of at least 20 other states to address the problem of unethical dog tethering. The statute allows animal control officers to issue warnings or civil infractions for dog owners who are caught violating the new rules.

The law states that any dog that is tethered must only be restrained for a period of time that is 'not reckless.'
If there are multiple dogs, each dog must be on a separate tether, and not fixed to the same point.
Dogs cannot be tethered in a way that is unsafe, or unsanitary.

The dog also must be able to sit, lie down, and stand comfortably, wthout a restricted range of movement.

And if your dog is sick, suffering from a debilitating disease, pregnant, or under six months old, you cannot tether it at all.

A warning will be issued on first offense, but after that, violators will be given a civil infraction.

http://www.kxly.com/news/local-news/dog-tethering-law-goes-into-effect-sunday-1/591909520
 

DennasMom

Well-Known Member
tethered "unattended" is the key word...

I'm in WA, and I agree, no dog should be tethered for an undue amount of time "unattended".

We'll be camping next week, and my pup will be tethered for LONG periods of time - as there is a leash law at state parks - but she will be we "attended", with us... enjoying herself. :)

It's sad that laws like this have been deemed necessary... I'm not a fan of the Nanny-State... but you can't cure stupid, and without a law against it, you can't even talk to them about their stupidity.