New statewide dog act promotes tethering but bans use of chains

A dog on a chain barks in an open yard behind a south Abilene home Thursday.
A dog on a chain barks in an open yard behind a south Abilene home Thursday.

The Safe Outdoor Dogs Act has gone into effect statewide, and the director of Abilene's Animal Services department said it carries with it a bit of a stronger bite in terms of protecting outdoor animals from neglect.

"We already had some of those requirements," Animal Services director Justin Lelesch said of the new law, which went into effect last week. "So It's not going to have as much of an impact as some of the other communities that didn't have any of this. But what it does is it does give (us) a little bit more teeth for enforcement."

But the department also wants to make sure to use its role to educate — and aid — dog owners with coming into compliance, he said.

"It's going to be a case-by-case basis," Lelesch said. "Obviously, the best interest of the dog is always going to be at the forefront."

More: Abilene animal advocacy groups: New dog safety law important but enforcement vital

Unchained

The law does not prevent owners from tethering dogs humanely.

But it strikes completely the use of chains because of their capacity to cause pain and injury.

A cable tie-out or trolley system is allowed, according to a summary by the Texas Humane Legislation Network, as long as these devices are correctly attached to a collar or harness designed to restrain a dog.

A dog chain.
A dog chain.

Those options are lightweight, strong and flexible, and are easily found in stores and from online retailers, the advocacy group's website says, costing $15-$30.

The law also outlines measures to protect dogs from extreme temperatures, inclement weather and standing water, defining "adequate shelter" requirements.

It also requires access to drinkable water and strikes a 24-hour waiting period, allowing animal services and law enforcement to take immediate action,

Violations are a Class C misdemeanor, rising to Class B for repeated offenses.

There are some exceptions, such as when camping or using other public recreational areas, herding livestock, hunting or participating in field trials or animals in an open-air truck bed while their owners complete a temporary task.

Firm foundation

Justin Lelesch, animal services director
Justin Lelesch, animal services director

Lelesch said the law was a good step, adding the city's existing ordinances are "not too far off" from the new requirements.

"We already required shelter that consisted of three sides, a roof and a floor to keep the animal out of weather," he said. "We already required that (a) tether be at least five times the length of the animal's body, or 10 feet, whichever was longer. We already required the tether to have swivel ends so that the dog doesn't tangle (it) up on itself."

The greatest impact is the removal of chains, Lelesch said, which means that some previously in compliance now won't be.

"They will have to change to a different material, such as a cable tether," he said.

A look at numbers

During the previous week, animal services had 21 calls to check an animal's welfare, Lelesch said.

Of those, six were related to tethers, while nine were for concerns about proper food, water and shelter.

Most often, circumstances are fine, he said, when checked.

"Maybe (the reporting party) saw the dog at one side of the yard and there was actually a shelter on the other side," Lelesch said. "Stuff like that happens."

But it doesn't hurt to have someone go make certain "everything is up-to-date," he said, especially at times when weather extremes may be present.

Help available soon

]Lelesch said the law may affect lower-income communities in Abilene "pretty heavily."

For that reason, "we are working to purchase materials to try and help those citizens," he said.

A grant from Best Friends Animal Society, received at the end of last year, has among its goals creating a community engagement program, he said.

"We can go out into those communities, and we are heat mapping our calls to know which areas are the most in need," he said.

Many dog owners want to do the right thing for their animals but don't have the means or know-how to fix issues, he said.

"So, I have a bunch of materials that are coming in, including 15-foot cable tethers that we ordered to try and help some of these people," Lelesch said.

The shelter also has purchased collars, leashes, toys, puzzle feeders and other items. It also plans to offer spay and neuter vouchers, all paid for through the grant, that will be free to the community, he said.

"We're going to try and bridge that gap and help people get the materials that they need to be able to assist with these issues," he said, saying there will be a focus on relief efforts and building relationships.

Among the hoped-for effects?

Trying to make sure "we're not just viewed as the dog catcher anymore," he said.

"We are here as a resource center."

Discernment needed

As far as enforcement, no two situations are going to be the same, Lelesch said, and the new law doesn't mean "we're just going to immediately go and issue tickets."

"We still have to have some grace and an understanding that everyone is coming from a different background, a different set of situations that they're dealing with in their lives," he said.

Currently, that includes COVID-19 "and the financial burdens that everyone is facing," Lelesch said.

"We have to have grace, to be able to give these people a chance to try and fix those things," he said.

If they refuse?

"Then that's a different conversation," he said. "But if they are actively trying to improve on their situation and they're working with us to try and provide better care for their animals? What more can you ask for?"

For now, aid will be available on a case-by-case basis, as animal services attempts to determine how widespread issues may be, he said.

"From an animal services perspective, it's always better to leave the animal in the community if they have a loving and caring home and just educate those people on what the standard needs to be," he said.

Brian Bethel covers city and county government and general news for the Abilene Reporter-News. If you appreciate locally driven news, you can support local journalists with a digital subscription to ReporterNews.com.

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: New statewide dog act promotes tethering but bans use of chains