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Phoenix subcommittee advances update to dog-tethering rules after testimony from Poverty Pets
Summary
After public testimony from Poverty Pets volunteers describing animal suffering from long-term tethering, the Public Safety & Justice Subcommittee voted unanimously to approve an update to the city's dog-tethering ordinance intended to simplify enforcement and limit tethering except under owner supervision.
The Public Safety & Justice Subcommittee on June 3 approved an update to Phoenix’s dog-tethering ordinance after public testimony from local animal welfare volunteers who described chronic injuries and emotional trauma in tethered dogs.
Kate Civella, founder of Poverty Pets, told the committee her group routinely removes dogs from chains and encounters severe medical and behavioral problems in animals that have been tethered for long periods. “The language before you today represents a positive and meaningful step forward,” Civella said, urging the committee to adopt clearer, enforceable standards.
Don Bentley, also with Poverty Pets, urged the subcommittee to support a change that replaces the current temperature-based rule — which the speakers said makes tethering legal or illegal depending on the hour the temperature reaches 100°F — with a clearer prohibition except when a dog is under direct supervision of its owner. “The current ordinance is confusing for citizens and very difficult to enforce,” Bentley said.
After brief consideration, the committee moved and seconded approval of the proposed changes; the transcript records the motion and a unanimous voice vote in favor.
Next steps: the committee approved the measure at the subcommittee level; the action will move forward per the council’s procedures.
