Fort Worth Council Approves Ban On Dog Tethering

Fort Worth council approves ban on dog tethering

January 22, 2008
By JEFF MOSIER / The Dallas Morning News


The Fort Worth City Council approved an ordinance Tuesday that generally prohibits pet owners from leaving unattended dogs tied up in yards.

The ban is similar to one already passed in Irving and Austin and another being discussed in Dallas. Dogs can't be tied to a stationary object or a trolley system, according to the new ordinance.

City officials said research by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that chained or roped dogs are 2.8 times more likely to bite. The American Veterinary Medical Association said in 2003 that "tethering" contributes to aggressive behavior.

There would be a few exceptions such as during veterinary treatment, grooming or similar activities and when a person has "direct physical control" of the dog.

Those exceptions are valid only if the dog has a "reasonable and unobstructed" range of motion and access to shelter and clean water.

An offense would be a Class C misdemeanor, similar to a traffic ticket, and subject to a fine of up to $2,000. The new ordinance is tougher than a 2007 state law that Fort Worth officials said was confusing and difficult to enforce. That state law included time and weather conditions for the prohibition against tethering.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcont....4a35367a.html

Well, I hope they are prepared to deal with the numerous packs of new dogs that are about to be running loose on the streets whether intentional or unintentional (fencejumpers, etc.). I hope they are also prepared to deal with the increase in dogs dumped at animal control and area shelters. And lastly, I hope they are prepared to deal with the increase in dog bites and dog attacks that most assuredly will follow this assinine law.

Absolut Carp!

Um....the whole purpose of "tethering" a dog during veterinary treatment or grooming is to restrict the dog's range of motion, thereby making it much easier to perform the necessary task. Last I knew, my vet didn't put a bowl of water on the exam table while treating my dog, nor did the groomer put a bowl of water on the table while brushing him, and even if they did, the water would not be clean for very long.

Good grief!

Texan voters=smat.

Can't please everyone, but I'm happy this legislation passed.

Of course you are! Yay! More dogs causing traffic accidents, breaking out of their yards and running loose, which is a DIRECT contribution to those "roving dog attacks", which then lead to more incidences of BSL...I can't wait until you and your cronies go after leash-laws as being inhumane because they cause tracheal damage induced by constant pulling, fights caused by the inability to properly greet another dog and a general increase aggression. Leashes are already directly related to aggression anyway, it only makes sense that we should ban those next.

this will cause some problems i hope they will reconsider it... i also dont like tethering cause they tend to make the dogs more aggressive.

UGH!!!!!! More stupid laws in place. And you are right Zoom next they are going to go after leashes. Then the bites will be WAY UP!!!!

Why cant they leave freaking tethering alone since they know nothing about it since they are spouting off PETA propoganda.

tethering does not make aggressive dogs, humans make aggressive dogs.

****, living in Fort Worth, it is going to be sad to see the outcome because of this bill.

The last time you had a dog groomed, did the groomer have a dog house and a bucket of water on the table?

Honestly, this frightens me. Communities across Texas, even small towns, are taking up anti-tethering laws.

If that happens here, I don't know what I'll do. Voodoo MUST be tethered whenever he's not under direct supervision outside, because I don't trust any kind of fencing to hold him if he gets determined.

Oh well. I guess he can just stay in his crate. After all, hanging out in a 2x4 cage is SO much more humane than spending time on a 25-foot lead.

More "feel good" legislation that does nothing but perpetuate the general stupidity of humanity by encouraging the lack of self disciplin and personal responsibility.