Prohibit Tethering of Dogs in Leon County

A growing number of counties across Florida, in light of ASPCA reports that 81% of fatal dog attacks involve dogs that are isolated, have passed ordinances prohibiting tethering to make their community a safer and more humane place to live. The purpose of this petition is to request the Leon County Board of County Commissioners include language in the proposed amendment to the Leon County Code of Laws, Chapter 4, Animals, that prohibits the use of tethering animals within Leon County boundaries. Dogs would be required to be maintained indoors, or if in the outdoors, in a securely fenced environment with adequate protection from the elements. This would include a structure with four walls, one with an opening for entrance and exit, a roof, insulation and enough room to move freely about.

This petition needs to gather as many signatures as possible prior to August 22, 2011, when the commission will meet to decide about the proposed amendment. This is the first time in seven years that there has been an new ordinance proposed and this is our chance to attach anti-tethering to it without the commissioners having to meet on separate ordinance proposals. We have meetings in order and will do everything we can but we need signatures, especially Floridians and Leon County residents, but all count. We have momentum and a good chance- please help us help them. For every county law that passes, we are one step closer to passing state law.

*UPDATE 8/23/11- An ordinance was voted in today that outlaws the use of choke collars, logging chains and vehicle tow chains, and the county has agreed to create a task force to work to discuss working towards stricter anti-tethering legislation and hopefully, a ban on this practice. Please keep the signatures coming and thank you!

We the undersigned request that the Leon County Board of County Commissioners include language in the proposed amendment to the Leon County Code of Laws, Chapter 4, Animals, that prohibits the use of tethering animals within Leon County boundaries. Dogs would be required to be maintained indoors, or if in the outdoors, in a securely fenced environment with adequate protection from the elements.  This would include a structure with four walls, one with an opening for entrance and exit, a roof, insulation and enough room to move freely about.

Dogs which have been chained severely lack necessary socialization and thus territoriality ensues. These dogs, deprived of human interaction and attention, become aggressive in nature. The ASPCA reports that research has shown that chained dogs are nearly three times as likely to bite as dogs that are not chained. Tragically, most of these victims are children. With the issues of dog bites at the forefront of media, prohibiting the chaining or tethering of a dog in Leon County would reduce such occurrences.

We urge you to take a leadership position in regards to this issue and make Leon County a safer and more humane place to live.
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