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 Section 3-4, the definition of tether, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Asheville is hereby repealed in its entirety and the following substituted in lieu thereof: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Section 3-12(i) of the Code of Ordinances City of Asheville is hereby repealed in its entirety and the following substituted in lieu thereof: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 In addition, any animal under a prior order from the City shall remain in full effect and shall not be repealed by this ordinance.”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 That all ordinances and clauses of ordinances in conflict herewith be and are hereby repealed, to the extent of such conflict.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 22th day of September 2009.
Current County Ordinance: Section 6-58-Animal Care:
(p) It shall be unlawful to tether an animal to a stationary object for a period of time or under conditions that an animal control officer or animal cruelty investigator deems harmful or potentially harmful to the animal. Tethering may be allowed in certain cases where daily socialization and exercise off the tether can be verified and the animal is not exhibiting health or temperament problems. Examples of improper tethering include, but are not limited to the following:
(1) Using a length or weight of tether that is not appropriate for the size, weight and age of the animal. The restraint must be a minimum of four times the length from the tip of the animal’s nose to the tip of the animal’s tail and shall be no less than ten feet.
(2) Using tether that does not have swivels on both ends. All tethers must be attached to the animal by means of a properly fitting harness or collar of not less than one inch in width made of nylon or leather.
(3) allowing an animal to tethered (sic) such that the animal is not confined to the owner’s property or such that the tether can become entangled and prevent the animal from moving about freely, lying down comfortable (sic) or having access to adequate food, water and shelter.
