Update on anti-tethering enforcement efforts

The anti-tethering ordinance has been in place a little over a year and staff has diligently been working to educate the public as to the dangers of tethering dogs and how to comply with the ordinance. This has proven a challenge for staff and stricter enforcement efforts have begun to include written warnings and citations. In an effort to compel compliance staff is now issuing citations with the understanding that if the pet owner complies within 30 days, the citation will be voided.

Additionally, staff is requesting a few minor amendments to the ordinance to clarify issues that have been raised. The changes include adding a definition for a "person" to have an age requirement, to clarify what "in view of the animal" means and to increase the penalty for not complying with the ordinance.

Consider the following amendments to Chapter 4 - Animals:

• Clearly identify a "person" as a individual at least fifteen (15) years of age
• Amend "in view" to either indicate the person must be outside and in sight of the animal or to indicate that the person must be home / on the property while the dog is outside.
• Amend the penalty for tethering from Class A - $50.00 to Class C - $250.00.

Continue and improve anti-tethering education efforts through use of social media, news articles and Channel 27.

Make no changes or amendments to the current ordinance.
Change the penalty to a Class B - $100.00 penalty.

Margaret M. Arraiz, Code Compliance Manager

Animal Control Officers:
BJ Gasparre
Kenny Nelson
Ricardo Pellot