Dogs Deserve Better strongly encourages you to make this happen for the chained dogs.

Here are some of the best laws out there to model yours on.

Collier County, Florida
May 15, 2010

This was introduced by DDB rep Belen Brisco and
passed in May of 2010:

Link to the full law

Sec. 14-34. - Inhumane treatment of animals.
(b)
Any enclosure used as a primary means of confinement for a dog must meet the definition of proper enclosure as stated in Section 14-35 of this Article. It shall be unlawful for a responsible party to tether a dog while outdoors, except when all of the following conditions are met. This section shall not apply to the transportation of dogs:

(1)The dog is in visual range of the responsible party, and the responsible party is located outside with the dog.

(2)The tether is connected to the dog by a buckle-type collar or a body harness made of nylon or leather, not less than one inch in width.

(3)The tether has the following properties: It is at least five times the length of the dog's body, as measured from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail; it terminates at both ends with a swivel; it does not weigh more than ? of the dog's weight; and it is free of tangles.

(4)The dog is tethered in such a manner as to prevent injury, strangulation, or entanglement.

(5)The dog is not outside during a period of extreme weather, including without limitation extreme heat or near-freezing temperatures, thunderstorms, tornadoes, tropical storms, or hurricanes.

(6)The dog has access to water, shelter, and dry ground.

(7)The dog is at least six months of age. Puppies shall not be tethered.

(8)The dog is not sick or injured.

(9)Pulley, running line, or trolley systems are at least 15 feet in length and are less than 7 feet above the ground.

(c)The director of animal services shall impound any animal found to be cruelly treated as defined in this article.

(d)Whoever violates any provision of this section shall forfeit his right to license an animal in the County for one year in addition to any other penalty provided by this article or otherwise by law. Any ownership of such animal without benefit of a license shall be deemed an additional violation of this article.
(Ord. No. 2008-51, § 9; Ord. No. 2010-03, § 4)

Little Rock, Arkansas
October 7, 2003

Tethering dogs to any stationary object or point is prohibited.

Section 6-16:
Direct point chaining, or tethering of dogs to a stationary object, is prohibited.

Maumelle, Arkansas
April 8, 1996

The ordinance, which is regarded as the first of its kind, prohibits tethering dogs to stationary objects, such as dog houses. In addition, it requires that dogs be provided with approved housing:

Confinement of Animals: From and after the passage of this Ordinance any person owning animals whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, licensed or unlicensed, shall confine such animal within an adequate fence or enclosure, or within a house, garage or other building in conformance with Maumelle Bill of Assurance or its successor. Animals shall not be tied or chained to dog houses, or other stationary objects, but must be in an approved enclosure. Sterilized cats are exempt from confinement.

The ordinance also mandates that dog enclosures must provide at least one hundred and fifty square feet of space for dogs over six months of age.

Okaloosa County, Florida
November 11, 1992

Tethering dogs and cats is prohibited

Sec. 5-28. Restraint and confinement to property. (d) Dogs or cats shall not be chained, tied, fastened or otherwise tethered to dog houses, trees, fences or other stationary objects as a means of confinement to property.

Carthage, Missouri
December 8, 1992

Tethering dogs is prohibited.

Sec 4-7 (a) All dogs must be confined within a fenced area, unless on a leash not longer than six feet long. At no time may any dog be tied to or leashed to inanimate objects i.e. trees, posts, etc. (b) Persons found guilty of violating this section will be liable to fines ranging from: $25.00 - $200.00. However, if said dog has been spayed or neutered the fines may be reduced, upon provided proof.

New Hanover, North Carolina
1978

Chaining or tethering dogs is prohibited. A chain or rope is not to be used in place of a leash when walking dogs.

Sec. 3.4 (d) Restraint: An animal is under restraint within the meaning of this chapter if it is controlled by means of a leash, or is sufficiently near the owner or handler to e under his direct control and is obedient to that person’s command; or is on or within a vehicle being driven or parked; or is within a secure enclosure. Exceptions to restraint are as follows: Organized and lawful animal functions e.g. hunting, obedience training, field and water training, law enforcement training and/or in the pursuit of working or competing in those legal endeavors. When a dog is on the property of its owner of guardian it shall be secured when not supervised by a competent person. Ropes, chains, and the like shall not constitute adequate security under this ordinance.Lawton, OklahomaThis ordinance specifies that a dog may not be chained in his or her own yard.

A. No person shall, at any time, fasten, chain, or tie any dog or cause such dog to be fastened, chained or tied while such dog is on the dog owner’s property or on the property of the dog owner’s landlord.

B. Any dogs confined within a fenced yard must have an adequate space for exercise based on a dimension of at least one hundred square feet. Provided, further that where dogs are kept or housed on property without a fenced yard, the owner of such dogs or persons having custody of such dogs shall provide an enclosure for such dogs meeting the one hundred square feet dimension. Such enclosure shall be constructed of chain link or similar type materials with all four sides enclosed. The enclosure shall be of sufficient height to prevent the dog from escaping from such enclosure. The top of such enclosure shall be covered with materials to provide the dog with shade and protection from the elements. (Ord. 90-18, 6/26/01)

Electra, Texas
June 11, 1996

Tethering is prohibited, but dogs may be controlled by the hand-held use of a rope, leash, or chain.

Ordinance 96-9, Section 111, Restraint: A. 2. Dogs To Be Restrained—dogs shall not be allowed to run at large. All dogs must be restrained by some physical means; however, a dog shall not be considered at large when held or controlled by some person by means of a rope, leash, or chain. Dogs may not be tethered and the tethering of any dog shall be a violation of this chapter.

The Helping Animals website, as well as Unchainyourdog.org, have a current list of all ordinances from other cities and counties listed.

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