Capt. Bill Porter thinks people might understand why Larimer County needs a dog tether law if they saw what he and other animal control officers sometimes encounter while on the job.
“There are dogs tied up with logging chains that weigh about 30 pounds and are embedded in the dog’s neck,” said Porter, director of animal control for the Larimer Humane Society.
That’s why Porter hopes the county commissioners agree to amendments to the county’s animal control ordinance that regulates the size, type and length of tethers people use on their dogs. If the amendment passes, Larimer County would have the state’s first tether law, say officials.
Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the proposal today at the commissioner’s hearing room at 200 W. Oak St. in Fort Collins.
Porter is quick to point out that most Larimer County residents generally “love their critters,” and abusive tethering is uncommon. “But there are a few irresponsible owners, and we want to be proactive,” Porter said.
The amendment — which was still being reworded before today’s hearing — would allow chains on a dog that must be of a “reasonable weight,” officials said. They must also be at least 10 feet long and allow the animal to move freely.
There is no provision limiting how long an animal can be tethered. However, an animal control officer can determine if an animal has been tethered for a “reasonable” time and has had access to food and water, officials said.
Dogs chained up for an extended period become overly protective of their area and aggressive, Porter said.
Children have been hurt because they’ve wandered too close to a dog that has been chained up for too long.
“That is something everybody just wants to avoid,” he said.
A heavy chain attached to a dog could also be a sign the animal is being trained for fighting. A heavy chain builds up a dog’s neck muscles, making it less susceptible to biting, Porter said.
“Seeing something like that is a big red flag for us,” he said.
Larimer Commissioner Kathay Rennels said the amendment is being considered for the safety and well-being of both people and dogs.
“This is something Larimer County should be on the leading edge,” she said.
Still, the commissioners shelved a proposal to ban unrestrained dogs from the beds of moving pickups.
“There are still plenty of working dogs in this county who ride in the backs of pickups, and owners need them back there,” Rennels said. “To stop that is going a little bit too far.”
Monte Whaley: 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com
