New California Law that Prohibits the Tethering of Dogs

Mono County Animal Control would like to advise all dog owners and caretakers in the County that the State of California has enacted a law restricting the "tethering" of dogs. The new law, which takes effect January 1, 2007, makes it illegal for a person to "tether, fasten, chain, tie, or restrain a dog to a dog house, tree, fence, or any other stationary object."

The new law contains a number of exceptions to this general prohibition on tethering.

First, it does not prohibit a dog from being attached to a "running line, pulley, or trolley system," as long as the dog is not connected to the system by a choke or pinch collar.

Nor does the law prohibit the tethering of a dog in a campground or recreational area if required by the rules of the campground or recreational area.

Also, the law allows a person tot tether a dog for a reasonable amount of time, not to exceed 3 hours in a 24-hour period, in order to complete a temporary task, and to tether a dog in connection with an activity conducted pursuant to a license issues by the State of California.

Finally, the law permits a person to tether a dog while engaged in an activity directly related to shepherding, herding livestock, or cultivating agricultural products.

A violation of this new anti-tethering law constitutes an infraction or misdemeanor, depending on the circumstances. A person convicted on an infraction will have to pay a fin of up to $250 for each dog illegally tethered, while a person convicted of a misdemeanor will have to pay a fine of up to $1000 for each dog illegally tethered and, in addition, may be sentenced to up to six months in the county jail.

Mono County Animal Control is committed to the welfare of all pets and sincerely hopes that all dog owners and caretakers in Mono County will learn about and voluntarily comply with this new state law.