-
Maddison Pace
Virginia recently made some important changes to state laws to help ensure the welfare of our furry friends here.
Among other things, the two identical bills (HB 1552 and SB 272) extend the minimum length of a tether to fifteen feet, and limit the conditions in which an animal can be tethered outside to temperatures between 32 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Summary:
Tethering animals; adequate shelter and space. Provides that the outdoor tethering of an animal does not meet the requirement of adequate shelter during a hurricane warning or tropical storm warning or if the animal is not safe from predators or well suited or equipped to tolerate its environment. The bill provides that unless an animal control officer has inspected an animal's individual circumstances and determined it to be safe from predators and well suited and equipped to tolerate its environment, no such outdoor tethering during a heat advisory, a severe weather warning, or a period when the temperature is 85 degrees Fahrenheit or higher or 32 degrees Fahrenheit or lower shall constitute the provision of adequate shelter. The measure increases the minimum tether length required to constitute adequate space to 15 feet in length or four times the length of the animal, whichever is greater. Current law requires the tether to be at least 10 feet in length or three times the length of the animal, whichever is greater. The bill provides an exception for a case in which an animal control officer, having inspected an animal's individual circumstances, determines that a shorter tether of at least 10 feet or three times the length of the animal makes the animal safer, more suited, and better equipped to tolerate its environment than a longer tether would.
There’s a lot in there for animal lovers to cheer, and it’s good to see the state looking out for it’s non-human residents.
Share This Story
Maddison Pace
More Stories

Virginia Beach Finally Moving Forward with Rudee Park Plans
This isn’t just another surf spot; it’s the first Wavegarden Cove in North America…
Most Read
More Stories
Is Blockchain the Latest Revolution in Technology?
Blockchain is like a digital ledger to store financial transactions,...
Casting Call For Extras In The Walking Dead Spinoff Filming In Richmond
Make sure you've been practicing your zombie walk.
Weather
Donate to TheVBJ!
More

Virginia Beach Among Cities With The Best Public Schools
In the grand tapestry of education across the United States, the significance…

Virginia Ranks 11th Best State for Education in 2023
U.S. News has named Virginia the 11th best state…

Hampton University Announces Raises For All Employees
Made possible by a very large gift.

U.S. News ranks Virginia as 7th Best State
Virginia jumps from 20th to 7th in one year.

Help Shape High-Capacity Transit in Chesapeake
High-capacity transit refers to transportation systems that can move large numbers of people quickly…

The 757 Is Getting A New Area Code, But Not Right Now
948 is coming to the 757.