Phoenix City Council adopts new restrictions on how dogs can be restrained outdoors

The Phoenix City Council on Wednesday adopted new restrictions on how dogs can be restrained outdoors.

Under the ordinance, a dog may not be confined on private property with a tether, trolley or similar device when its owner or handler can’t see it.

Additionally, restraints must be at least 6 feet long and can’t limit the animal’s access to food, water, shade, dry ground or adequate shelter.

Furthermore, choke collars or pinch collars may not be used to restrain dogs outside during times of extreme weather. That includes when the temperature is below 32 degrees or above 100 degrees as well as when a warning has been issued for weather events such as dust storms, tornadoes or excessive heat.

Permitted collars must be properly fitted, meaning they have to be at least 1 inch longer than the circumference of the pet’s neck.

Why did Phoenix adopt new regulations on restraining dogs outdoors?

Phoenix Police Sgt. Milo Kauffman said the ordinance is needed because there generally are two types of animal cruelty cases.

“There’s either the crimes of omission or the crimes of commission. The crimes of omission are the neglect places, where they don’t have food, they don’t have water, they don’t have shelter,” he said during a press conference Thursday.

Kauffman said he’s seen many cases where dogs get tangled up in tethers and even hang themselves.

“By requiring … the owner to maintain an observation of their animal, we could hopefully ensure that if they are tethered, they do have access to their food, water or shelter and hopefully prevent some of those injuries from happening that happen when the animals are not supervised,” he said.

It’s expected to take a few months before the new regulations make an impact.

“It’s going to require, I think, both the education of the citizens, and most likely some of that’s going to come from enforcement action,” Kauffman said.

What are the penalties for illegally restraining dogs in Phoenix?

Violators of the new ordinance face minimum fines of $250 for first offenses.

A second conviction is subject to a jail term of at least 48 hours and a fine of at least $1,000.

The penalty increases to at least 15 days in jail and a fine of at least $2,000 for a third offense.

The city has a web portal where residents can report suspected cases of animal neglect.

Community members who witness an animal experiencing distress should call 911.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Colton Krolak contributed to this report.

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