The City of Tempe passed an anti-tethering ordinance Thursday night, which is one of the toughest dog laws in Arizona.
A person who ties a dog up outside could end up with a $500 dollar fine from the city. The new law says tethering is only legal if:
- The dog is supervised by somebody physically at the property
- Has access to food, water and shelter
- The outside temperature is between 45 degrees and 85 degrees
- The tether has anti-tangle features and there are no nearby objects for the lead to get tangled in
"Dogs that are tethered are far more likely to be aggressive with anyone that approaches them. They also bark excessively," said Cheryl Naumann, Humane Society of the United States.
Tempe City Councilwoman Lauren Kuby spearheaded the ordinance. She said it came to her attention from a neighbor who knew a child bitten by a tethered dog.
The new law takes effect in the second week of January 2018.
