Anti-chaining Ordinance for Dogs At-a-Glance

Effective Oct. 1, 2007:

Leaving a dog alone on a chain or a tether will be prohibited by City law (Austin City Code Section 3-4-2)

The new Anti-chaining ordinance:

• Prohibits fixed point tethering or chaining of dogs. This means that dogs may not be chained or tethered to any object.
• Clarifies that an outdoor enclosure used to keep six or more dogs, other than puppies less than 6 months old, must be the required distance of 50 feet from an adjacent residence or business.
• Mandates when the outdoor enclosure is the primary living area for a dog or used as an area for the dog to regularly eat, sleep, drink, and eliminate, the enclosure must be a minimum of 150 sq. feet for each dog 6 months of age or older.
• Provides for the temporary tethering of a dog under certain situations (i.e., lawful animal event, veterinary treatment, grooming, training, or law enforcement activity, to protect the safety or welfare of a person or the dog, and if the dog’s owner or handler is presenting during the period of restraint.

WHY CHAINING AND TETHERING IS BAD FOR DOGS:

• Dogs have been bred for thousand of years to form a strong attachment to a human family. They can’t do this if they are chained or tethered in the yard.
• An otherwise friendly and happy dog, when kept continually chained and isolated, often becomes neurotic, unhappy, anxious, and/or aggressive. Studies show that chained dogs are much more likely to bite than unchained dogs.
• Chained dogs may unintentionally hang themselves if they are tethered too close to a fence or an object near the fence and attempt to jump it.
• Chained dogs are at risk of attacks by other animals or cruelty from others.
• Chaining your dog outside will likely worsen existing behavior problems and create new ones.

Troubleshooting Solutions :
Getting your dog off the chain...

• Install a fence or a dog run. Make sure the enclosure meets the new requirements specified in the ordinance. Be sure to allow extra space for a doghouse.

• Tips for the escape artist:
  • If your dog is able to jump your existing fence, install a 45-degree inward extension.
  • Diggers can be stopped in their tracks by burying chicken wire to a depth of one foot below where the fence meets the ground. Or place large rocks at the base of the fence.
  • Spay or neuter your dog. A neutered dog is less likely to try to escape.

• Behavioral issues:
  

  • If your dog digs where you don’t want him to (such as in a garden or flower bed) consider putting plastic garden fencing around the area. Or provide your dog with his own sandbox. Bury toys in the sandbox and use positive reinforcement to teach your dog that it is okay to dig there.

  Remember: Behavioral problems are often the result of a lack of stimulation!!!

• What you can do to comply:
  

  • Bring the dog inside the home to live with the family and exercise the dog on a hand-held leash;
  • For outdoor confinement, construct or buy a secure and humane fenced enclosure for the dog.

ADDITIONAL PET LAWS

• It is unlawful to transport an animal loose in an unenclosed vehicle. Animals must be confined securely in a manner that prevents the animal from falling or jumping from the vehicle or otherwise being injured.
• It is unlawful not to provide adequate shelter for your pet.
• All pets residing within the City of Austin are required to be registered with the City.
• All pets must have current rabies vaccinations.