The Onondaga County Legislature has been considering two proposals that would impact dogs being kept outside, and a vote is expected on April 3.
“Proposal A” would prohibit anyone from tethering a dog outdoors for more than 2 hours when the temperature is lower than 32 degrees or higher than 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Although it does exempt situations where a dog is on a leash and under direct supervision, AKC believes that specific temperature requirements are arbitrary and do not consider the needs of specific breeds that may thrive in temperatures outside these ranges, or those dogs that may not be able to tolerate even these temperatures. AKC instead believes that dogs should never be tethered outside in a situation or manner that could jeopardize their health and safety.
“Proposal B” states that if an animal is left outdoors, it should be provided with adequate shelter, apparel or other protection from inclement weather appropriate to its breed, physical condition, and the climate. AKC supports this more positive approach, which would protect the health and welfare of dogs while still allowing for humane and appropriate tethering.
Read AKC’s blog on tethering for more talking points and considerations on this issue.
Your Help is Needed!
Animal rights activists are working hard to generate calls and emails, and pack the legislative chamber to show support for Proposal A. All Onondaga County residents, and those who participate in dog events in the county are needed to do the following:
- Attend the legislative hearing on Tuesday, April 3, and express your support for Proposal B and opposition to Proposal A. Ask the Legislature to focus on laws that will not allow an animal to be left in conditions that jeopardize its health and safety. The hearing information is as follows:Onondaga County Legislature
Council Chambers
Tuesday, April 3, 2018
1:00 pm
Contact the Onondaga County Legislature and respectfully express your support for Proposal B and concerns with Proposal A. Ask the Legislature to instead focus on laws that will not allow an animal to be left in conditions that jeopardize its health and safety.Visit the Legislature website for the names and contact information for the members. If you have a specific example of a situation where you would humanely tether a dog when the temperature is outside the temperature ranges outlined in Proposal A, please be sure to include that in your communication. View a sample letter here.
AKC Government Relations will continue to closely monitor these proposals and provide more information as it becomes available. For more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.