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2019 SESSION

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SB 1025 Companion animals; adequate shelter and space.

Introduced by: Lionell Spruill, Sr. | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles | history

SUMMARY AS PASSED:

Tethering of animals; adequate shelter and space. Provides that in order to meet the requirement that an animal be given adequate space, a tether must be at least three times the length of the animal or 10 feet in length, whichever is greater, and not cause injury or pain, weigh more than one-tenth of the animal's body weight, or have weights or heavy objects attached to it. Current law requires that the tether be at least three times the length of the animal. The bill exempts agricultural animals from provisions of the law related to tethering. The bill defines "adequate shelter" to mean the provision of shelter that, during hot weather, is shaded and does not readily conduct heat and, during cold weather, has a windbreak at its entrance and provides sufficient bedding material.

SUMMARY AS PASSED SENATE:

Tethering of animals; adequate shelter and space. Provides that outdoor tethering of a companion animal does not meet the requirement that an animal be given adequate shelter, unless the animal is actively engaged in an agricultural or hunting activity, when tethering is conducted during a heat advisory or a severe weather warning. The bill provides that in order to meet the requirement that an animal be given adequate space a tether must be at least four times the length of the animal or 15 feet in length, whichever is greater, and not cause injury or pain, weigh more than one-tenth of the animal's body weight, or have weights or heavy objects attached to it. Current law requires that the tether be at least three times the length of the animal. The bill exempts agricultural animals from existing provisions and these added provisions related to tethering. The bill also authorizes any locality to adopt ordinances that are parallel to or more stringent than the state law regarding the care of companion animals.

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Tethering of animals; adequate shelter and space. Provides that outdoor tethering of a companion animal does not meet the requirement that an animal be given adequate shelter, unless the animal is actively engaged in an agricultural or hunting activity, when tethering is conducted (i) when the temperature is 32 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, or 85 degrees Fahrenheit or higher; (ii) during a heat advisory; or (iii) during a severe weather warning. The bill provides that a tether meets the requirement that an animal be given adequate space if the tether is four times the length of the animal or 15 feet in length, whichever is greater, and does not cause injury or pain, weigh more than one-tenth of the animal's body weight, or have weights or heavy objects attached to it. Current law provides that the tether be three times the length of the animal. The bill exempts agricultural animals from existing provisions related to tethering. The bill also authorizes any locality to adopt ordinances that parallel and make more stringent the state law regarding the care of companion animals.