SB 272

Abstract

Tethering animals; adequate shelter and space. Provides that the outdoor tethering of an animal does not meet the requirement of adequate shelter during a hurricane warning or tropical storm warning or if the animal is not safe from predators or well suited or equipped to tolerate its environment. The bill provides that unless an animal control officer has inspected an animal's individual circumstances and determined it to be safe from predators and well suited and equipped to tolerate its environment, no such outdoor tethering during a heat advisory, a severe weather warning, or a period when the temperature is 85 degrees Fahrenheit or higher or 32 degrees Fahrenheit or lower shall constitute the provision of adequate shelter. The measure increases the minimum tether length required to constitute adequate space to 15 feet in length or four times the length of the animal, whichever is greater. Current law requires the tether to be at least 10 feet in length or three times the length of the animal, whichever is greater. The bill provides an exception for a case in which an animal control officer, having inspected an animal's individual circumstances, determines that a shorter tether of at least 10 feet or three times the length of the animal makes the animal safer, more suited, and better equipped to tolerate its environment than a longer tether would. This bill is identical to HB 1552.

Tethering animals; adequate shelter and space. Provides that outdoor tethering of an animal that is not actively engaged in conduct related to an agricultural activity does not meet the requirement that an animal be given adequate shelter if it occurs (i) between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.; (ii) when no owner is on the property; (iii) when the temperature is 32 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, or 85 degrees Fahrenheit or higher; (iv) during a heat advisory; or (v) during a severe weather warning. The bill increases certain minimum tether length requirements to meet the requirement that an animal be given adequate space by requiring that a tether be at least 15 feet in length or four times the length of the animal, whichever is greater. Current law requires the tether to be at least 10 feet in length or three times the length of the animal, whichever is greater. The bill also authorizes the governing body of any locality to adopt, and make more stringent, ordinances that parallel certain state provisions related to care of companion animals.

Tethering animals; adequate shelter and space.Provides that outdoor tethering of an animal does not meet the requirementthat an animal be given adequate shelter if it occurs (i) between10 p.m. and 6 a.m., except when the animal is engaged in conductrelated to an agricultural activity; (ii) when no owner is on theproperty; (iii) when the temperature is 32 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, or 85 degrees Fahrenheit or higher; (iv) during a heat advisory;or (v) during a severe weather warning. The bill increases certainminimum tether length requirements to meet the requirement that ananimal be given adequate space by requiring that a tether be at least15 feet in length or four times the length of the animal, whicheveris greater. Current law requires the tether to be at least 10 feetin length or three times the length of the animal, whichever is greater.The bill also authorizes the governing body of any locality to adopt,and make more stringent, ordinances that parallel certain state provisionsrelated to care of companion animals.