Crossville city council considering restrictions on tethering of dogs at March 13 meeting.

Among the items discussed at the Crossville city council work session on Tuesday was proposed changes to the ordinance concerning animals.

The city has been working with local animal groups to improve the lives of pets and animals in the city. Those discussions have lead to some proposed changes In the city's animal ordinances. The City council will take up the first of these changes during their regular March meeting on Tuesday, March 13.

City Council: L-R J.H. Graham, Danny Wyatt, Mayor

James Mayberry, Pam Harris and Scot Shanks

The changes will restrict the amount of time a dog may be tethered to a cord or chain. Dogs could not be tethered for more than 8 total hours in a 24 hour period and can not be left tied up at all between 7 PM and 7 AM.

According to the discussion during the council work session, dogs are found to be more aggressive when they are tied up and often get tangled in the tether and are unable to reach food, water or shelter.

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Council member Pamala Harris, who was a member of the task force that looked into changes in the animal ordinances said that the group was looking at ways to prevent cruelty to animals.

Also discussed was the local animal welfare groups that have been working to help families and dog owners meet the requirements of the new ordinance with low-cost pens. A violation of the law is subject to a $50 fine in Crossville city court.

The proposed ordinance must pass three readings before going into effect.  The first reading is set for Tuesday, March 13. 

The entire ordinance with changes is below:

Title 10, Chapter 2 of the City of Crossville Code of Ordinances is hereby amended by adding Section 10- 207. SEC. 1 Policy (a)

In order to enhance the quality of life of citizens and dogs and to protect the general public from damage and nuisance that may be caused by dogs confined outdoors, the Crossville City Council prohibits the outdoor tethering of dogs between the hours of 7 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. and prohibits the tethering of dogs outside for more than eight (8) total hours in any 24-hour period.

Sec. 2 (a) No person shall tether, fasten, chain, tie, or restrain a dog, or cause a dog to be tethered, fastened, chained, tied, or restrained, to a dog house, tree, fence, or any other stationary object. (b) Notwithstanding sec. 2 (a), a person may: (1) Attach a dog to a running line, pulley, or trolley system except as follows: (A) The dog shall not be so restrained for more than eight (8) cumulative hours in any 24-hour period or 30 minutes when the temperature is above 90 degrees or below 32 degrees; and, (B) The dog shall not be so restrained between the hours of 7 pm and 7 am; and (C) The dog shall have a well-fitting collar and shall not be fitted with a choke, pinch, prong, or chain collar.

(c) A person who violates this chapter is guilty of an infraction. (1) An infraction under this chapter is punishable upon conviction by a fine of up to fifty dollars ($50) as to each dog with respect to which a violation occurs. (2) Each subsequent 24-hour period shall constitute a separate infraction. (d) The Animal Control Officer or Crossville Police may issue a correction warning to a person who violates this chapter, requiring the owner to correct the violation, in lieu of an infraction, unless the violation endangers the health or safety of the animal, the animal has been wounded as a result of the violation, or a correction warning has previously been issued to the individual. (e) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit a person from walking a dog with a hand-held leash.