ChainFree Asheville

We hope you find this site helpful!  You have come to the right place if you want to help a chained dog, need to know the law, want to help us by donating a dog house, fencing supplies or volunteeering in some way, or need to know how to build a fence.  Thanks for stopping by!  

Our primary goal is to prevent the continuous chaining of dogs in the City of Asheville.  We work hard to build fences for low-income families so they can remove the dog from the chain.  We have freed 26 dogs so far!  In addition we provide free dog houses via our subsidiary, Habitats for Hounds.  We also provide free spay/neuter services, referals to free dog food programs and training if necessary. Need to contact us?    Just send an email to ChainFreeAsheville@gmail.com

Fence Buildings are on Sundays at 1p.m. 

Once a month during the winter.

Visit the page:  Help Us Build a Fence!

or send an email to chainfreeasheville@gmail.com to get directions. 

 See you there!

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The new law passed Council on September 22, 2009 by a vote of 5 to 2. 

Chaining is no longer allowed in Asheville. Thanks to everyone who helped get this law passed!__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

WHEREAS, the City of Asheville has the authority, pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 160A-186 to regulate the keeping of domestic animals; and  

WHEREAS, the City of Asheville has the authority, pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 160A-187 and § 67-4.5 to regulate animals which are dangerous to persons or property; and            

WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that it is in the interest of the public health, safety and welfare to amend Chapter 3 of the City Code to address animal matters;

             NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ASHEVILLE THAT:

 Section 1.        Section 3-4, the definition of tether, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Asheville is hereby repealed in its entirety and the following substituted in lieu thereof:

 “Tether - means to restrain a dog by tying the dog to any object or structure, including without limitation a house, tree, fence, post, garage, or shed, by any means, including without limitation a chain, rope, cord, leash, or running line.  Tethering shall not include using a leash to walk a dog.”

Section 2.        Section 3-4, the definition of attended tethering shall be added to read:

“Attended Tethering – means the tethering of a dog when the dog is in visual range of the owner or responsible party and the owner or responsible party is located outside with the dog.”

Section 3-12(i) of the Code of Ordinances City of Asheville is hereby repealed in its entirety and the following substituted in lieu thereof:

 “(i)         It shall be unlawful for an owner to leave an animal unattended and restrained by tether while outdoors or restrain an animal in any manner whereby the animal is prevented from having access to food, water or shelter.  In addition, any animal under a prior order from the City shall remain in full effect and shall not be repealed by this ordinance.”

Section 3.        That if any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this ordinance is, for any reason, held to be invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance.  The City Council hereby declared that it would have passed this ordinance, and each section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase thereof irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses, or phrases be declared invalid.

Section 4.        That all ordinances and clauses of ordinances in conflict herewith be and are hereby repealed, to the extent of such conflict.

 Section 5.        That this ordinance shall be in full force and effect on September 22, 2009 but the City shall not issue citations for violations of this section until January 1, 2011.

             Read, approved and adopted the 22^th day of September 2009.