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/3.A, <br />Office of Attorneys Matters 04/09/2019 <br />INDIAN RIVER COUNTY <br />ATTORNEY <br />Dylan Reingold, County Attorney <br />William K. DeBraal, Deputy County Attorney <br />Kate Pingolt Cotner, Assistant County Attorney <br />MEMORANDUM <br />TO: Board of County Commissioners <br />FROM: William K. DeBraal, Deputy County Attorney <br />DATE: April 3, 2019 <br />SUBJECT: Request for Permission to Advertise: Tethering Ordinance Amendment <br />In September 2018, the Board of County Commissioners heard a presentation from Betsy Begens <br />concerning proper and improper tethering practices for dogs. A draft ordinance was presented to <br />the Board and the Board discussed various aspects of tethering dogs and the existing County code <br />on the subject. Staff was directed to meet with Ms. Begens and a meeting was held with Ms. Begens, <br />Tad Stone, Jason Ogilvie and Ilka Daniels from the Humane Society. The group discussed proposed <br />changes to the current ordinance. The attached proposed ordinance amendment is now presented <br />to the Board for consideration and discussion. The proposed ordinance amendment provides for the <br />following: <br />• Provides a definition for tethering <br />• Prohibits tethering for more than one hour between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm when the <br />outdoor temperature exceeds 90 degrees Fahrenheit. <br />• Prohibits tethering during any severe weather or natural disaster. <br />• Prohibits tethering if the animal is less than 6 months of age. <br />As directed by the Board, staff researched whether any of the municipalities in the County have <br />ordinances concerning tethering. Sebastian, Vero Beach and Fellsmere have no tethering <br />ordinances. Staff reached out to the chiefs of police for these municipalities for their opinion on the <br />ordinance amendment. The responses were as follows: <br />• Ok with the ordinance but concerned about the lack of protection for the tethered animal <br />• Prefer not to allow tethering, but if it is allowed, only one tether per dog, owner must be able <br />to see dog at all times and no collars, only a harness <br />• No concerns <br />To date in 2019, no tethering violations of the existing ordinance have been issued. In 2018, two <br />violations were issued with eight violations issued in 2017. <br />142 <br />