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Gainesville City Council passes anti-dog chain law on first reading
GAINESVILLE - Gainesville City Council Tuesday voted to outlaw chains or tethers on dogs over the objection of Mayor Pro Tem Myrtle Figueras.
The vote was 4-1, with Figueras dissenting.
The ordinance takes effect in two weeks on Council's second reading at its next regular meeting.
Figueras called the ordinance micro-management by the city.
"I believe this will be a law of unintended consequences," Figueras said. "It may protect some animals but it could also cause many animals to leave good homes where they have been cared for and they are happy."
"These dogs will be put in the street, or taken in by the Humane Society which is already overpopulated, and these beautiful animals will be put to death."
The Mayor Protem said she knew of restrained dogs in her district that are loved and cared for.
Councilman George Wangemann, who cast one of the four yes votes, said he has seen neglected dogs on chains in his district and the anti-tethering ordinance will send a message.
"You ought to be a responsible pet owner if you are going to own a pet and that's why I will support it," Wangemann said.
The ordinance states that the dog may be "securely and humanely enclosed in a house, building, fence or pen or other enclosure" which the animal cannot climb, dig, jump or escape from and the enclosure must be locked when the pet is left unattended.
Invisible containment systems may be used with a posted sign, but it is unlawful to restrain the animal with a tether, chain, cable, rope or cord unless a competent person is holding the restraint.
The ordinance grew out of an appeal by Humane Society to pass an anti-tethering law in Gainesville.
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