Politics & Government

Arlington County Likely to Set Limits on Dog Tethering

New laws could take effect this weekend.

The Arlington County Board is expected to approve new regulations this weekend that would set limits on chaining or tethering dogs.

The county has regulated the treatment of animals since 1935, but no existing laws address the tethering of dogs, according to a county staff report.

Tethering dogs for a long time can be harmful to the animal's health if it restricts access to food, water or shelter. Further, the report states, tethered animals can develop aggressive behaviors that may put people in danger.

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The board will be handed a recommendation that, if approved, would limit tethering of dogs to three hours within any 24-hour period and restrict the time a dog may be attached to a running cable to a maximum of 12 hours in a 24-hour period.

Arlington Animal Control officers and the Animal Welfare League of Arlington support the idea, the report states.

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Animal Control officers already respond to calls from people complaining about tethered dogs, it states.

The report does not indicate what penalty a person would face for violating the new rules. If approved, they could become effective immediately.

The board meets Saturday morning on the third floor of 2100 Clarendon Blvd., though sometimes items are put on hold until the following Tuesday.


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