UPDATE: For Monte Vista people -- the dog in the photo, who got loose from his tether a couple of weeks ago and came to my house, is now back with his family who love him and had no other way to keep him other than tethering him. Monte Vista Animal hospital has given the family a dog run for the dog so he's not tied up any more and the local animal shelter is working on getting him an insulated dog house. And, he's sleeping inside at night. I'm VERY happy about all of this! I don't think this kind of generosity or care for a neighbor would happen in a big city. However, we still need to improve our law for the safety of dogs and people.

The Proposal:

Some states and many cities and towns have laws regarding tethering of animals. Tethering is legal in Colorado, but Denver has an ordinance limiting the number of hours a dog can be tied out. Currently there is nothing in the Monte Vista Code about tethering dogs.

This proposed amendment to the Monte Vista City Code doesn't seek to make tethering dogs illegal.

I’m aware that tethering is the only choice some loving dog owners have, and this proposal doesn’t seek to eliminate tethering. The two goals of this proposed change to the city code are: 1) to educate people about tethering their dogs safely, and, 2) to make it possible for law enforcement to take action in the case of dogs being tethered in an abusive way.

My research into what other towns and cities have in their codes regarding this question showed me that there’s a wide range of what’s considered OK treatment of dogs on tethers. For example, some towns have made tethering completely illegal; others have reduced the time a dog can be tethered to an hour; some have set four hours as an acceptable time period. Most towns have regulations requiring tethers with swivels that reduce the chance of a dog becoming tangled. Other towns require cables on which the dog can run almost as if he were untethered. Some towns say puppies cannot be tethered. Some say a puppy over six months old can be tethered. Some say four months old.

Humane Societies in most towns with tethering restrictions offer ways to help dog owners comply with the law including low-cost fencing for people who need financial help confining their dogs in better ways. Others offer free or low-cost dog houses for people who must tether their dogs.

The concerns addressed by all the regulations I read are 1) dog and human safety, and, 2) dog health and welfare. Tethered dogs who break free are dogs running loose and are, therefore, in danger and possibly dangerous to people. Recently a neighbor’s dog broke free of his tether and came to my house. It just happened that this dog was friendly and knew me from seeing me walking my dogs so I was OK, but he was running free on HWY 160 which I don’t think was OK for him. I called Animal Control and using treats and strength, the officer and I were able to get the dog — a sweet, wild boy — into the squad car and to the shelter.

At this website you can see what other towns have on their books re: tethering dogs — unchainyourdog.org

Springfield MO has recently passed a no "long-term" tethering ordinance. It might be unworkable here, but it presents another good argument based on their experience that tethered dogs are more likely to bite people who go near them. The other side of that is a tethered dog who's not inside a fence is, sorry, a "sitting duck" for people who want to pick on him, abuse him, throw rocks at him,  -- Springfield MO ordinance

Here's my proposed amendment to the city code of Monte Vista:

Purpose: Amend Chapter 6 (“Animals”), Article 2 (“Dogs”).

Definitions: Tether means to restrain a dog by tying the dog to any object or structure, including but not limited to a house, tree, fence, post, garage, or shed, by any tethering device (as defined herein) or other similar means. This definition does not include the restraint of a dog by an attended leash.

Tethering device means any tether chain, rope, cord, leash, cable, running line, or similar device used to restrain a dog.

Section 2. Amend Chapter 14 (“Animals”), Article 2(“Dogs”), of the City Code by adding a new section as follows: Tethering of Dogs

It shall be unlawful for a dog to be tethered outdoors, except when all of the following conditions are met:

(a) The dog is not tethered outside for a period of longer than eight (8) consecutive hours without the owner or individual who tethered the dog, or who is otherwise responsible for the care and maintenance of the dog, having direct physical contact with the dog.

(b) The tethering device complies with the following requirements:

(1) The tethering device is not placed directly around the dog’s neck;
(2) The tethering device is connected to the dog using a buckle-type collar or a body harness made of nylon or leather at least one inch in width;
(3) The length is at least (a) five times the length of the dog's body, as measured from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail or (b) ten (10) feet long, whichever is greater;
(4) Both ends of the tethering device terminate with a swivel;
(5) The tethering device does not weigh more than 1/8 of the dog's weight; and
(6) The tethering device is not prone to becoming tangled.

(c) The dog is tethered in such a manner as to prevent injury, strangulation, or entanglement with the dog or other objects.

(d) The dog is not outside during periods of extreme weather, including but not limited to the following:

1) those times when the National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat or cold warning for the City of Monte Vista
2) those times when the temperature is at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit or 0 degrees Celsius;
3) during thunderstorms;
4) during warnings of tornadoes or very high winds

(e) The tethering device shall allow the dog adequate access to food and water containers, appropriate shelter and ventilation, including quarters that are protected from excessive heat and cold, and on dry ground.

(f) The dog is not sick or injured or a puppy less than six (6) months of age.

(g) Any pulley, running line, or trolley system used to tether the dog is at least 15 feet in length and is less than 7 feet above the ground.

(h) If there are multiple dogs, the dogs are tethered such that they cannot come into contact with each other.