Tethering Ordinance

Effective November 19th, 2009, Orange County's Animal Ordinance will restrict the tethering of dogs to a maximum of 3 hours within a 24-hour period. The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved the amendment, along with a year of outreach and a number of specific exceptions, in November of 2008.

The Town of Chapel Hill has its own set of tethering restrictions.  

  1. What is tethering?
  2. What are the restrictions of the new ordinance amendment?
  3. What exceptions are included in the amendment?
  4. How long do people who currently tether have to make changes?
  5. Will the ordinance changes affect me if I live inside a township in Orange County?
  6. What resources are available for those wanting to switch from tethering to another means of confinement?
  7. Why did the BOCC consider tethering restrictions?
  8. What are the reasons for these changes?
  9. Why tethering? Can't dogs be neglected and abused in kennels as well?
  10. How does the adoption of this ordinance affect County resources?
  11. Where can I find additional information and copies of background documents?
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