Impact
WARD: City Wide
COMMITTEE: Administration
$ IMPACT: N/A
Title
Approve the amendment to the City of Smyrna's Code of Ordinances, Chapter 14 entitled "Animals" Artictle 1, Section 14-11 "Control of Animal" amending (a) "General Control" (2) adding (c) which prohibits tethering of animal.
Body
ISSUE: Amend Chapter 14 “Animals,” Article I “General”, Section 14-11 “Control of Animal” subsection (a)(2) to state how the restraint of dogs and/or animals shall be maintained in the City of Smyrna.
BACKGROUND:
For the purpose of the protection of public health, safety, and welfare; and to ensure the City of Smyrna Code of Ordinances aligns with amendments adopted by the Cobb County Board of Commissioners to the Code of Ordinances of Cobb County; it is recommended to amend to Amend Chapter 14 “Animals,” Article I “General,” Section 14-11 “Control of Animal,” subsection (a)(2) of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Smyrna to read as follows:
Sec. 14-11. - Control of animal.
(a)
(2) Restraint of dogs and/or animals shall be maintained as follows:
a. When upon the premises of the owner, all animals shall be kept indoors or in a primary enclosure as defined by this chapter in such a manner as to contain the animal within the bounds of the owner's premises, or on a leash in the hands of a person that possesses the ability to restrain the animal. Tethering as a means of primary enclosure is not permitted.
b. When off the premises of the owner, all animals shall at a minimum be maintained on an appropriate chain, leash or tie not exceeding 6 feet in length, and in the hands of a person who possesses the ability to restrain the animal.
c. It shall be unlawful for any owner of a dog to chain, tie, fasten or otherwise tether the dog to a stationary object or pulley run as a means of confinement, except that the dog may be temporarily confined by a tether while attended by its owner, notwithstanding subsections (2)a. and (2)b. of this section.
RECOMMENDATION/REQUESTED ACTION:
Staff recommends approval of the Ordinance 2017-14 to Amend Chapter 14 “Animals,” Article I “General,” Section 14-11 “Control of Animal,” of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Smyrna.