New Ordinance Regulates Dog Tethering in Fairfax City

Release, City of Fairfax:

The city has enacted a new ordinance regarding dog tethering that defines how and when city dogs may be tethered and expands enforcement and penalties.

Dogs age 4 months and older may be tethered for no more than one hour between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily. Dogs who are sick or injured, or younger than 4 months old, may not be tethered. Tethering is not permitted at night.

Dogs may not be tethered for any amount of time if the ambient temperature in the tethering area drops below 32ºF or rises past 90ºF.

Penalties are $50 for the first violation and up to $250 for subsequent violations. Suspected tethering violations should be reported to the Police Department at 703-385-7924 (or, in case of an emergency, dial 911).

City Code defines tethering as “tying, fastening, chaining, restraining... a companion animal to any fixed or stationery object, device or structure, or to any other object designed to confine and limit the movement of the companion animal.”

Previously, the city’s laws mirrored the Virginia Code, which provided only broad definitions. Other Virginia cities have implemented stricter policies.

Information: 703-385-7925.

Image: Patch file photo