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PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Phoenix now has stricter rules for owners who want to tie their dogs up outside.
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The Phoenix City Council unanimously approved an updated ordinance that bans leaving dogs tied or chained outside unless someone is directly supervising them.
That means the dog has to be in the line of sight of its owner or handler at all times.
The new restrictions update a 2023 law that made it illegal to use chains to tie up a dog and specified what constitutes adequate shelter.
The collar cannot be too tight. The restraint must be at least six feet long and can’t keep the dog from moving around, eating, drinking, getting shade, staying dry, or reaching shelter.
Owners also cannot use a choke collar or pinch collar to restrain a dog outside or at any time during extreme weather.
Advocates say neglect often starts with how a dog is tied up, so the rules help stop abuse where it starts.
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“As the hottest major city in the country, Phoenix has a responsibility to ensure animals are not left in conditions that put their health and safety at risk,” Phoenix Councilwoman Laura Pastor said in an emailed statement.
The revised rule is aimed at stopping people from leaving dogs tied up for long stretches of time.
“These updates give officers clearer tools to intervene before a dog ends up in crisis. Every summer, we see preventable emergencies. Stronger standards and clearer expectations help us protect animals and support the community in doing the right thing,” Phoenix Police Commander Aimee Smith said in a statement.
A person who breaks the new rules could face a fine of up to $250 on the first offense.
The updated ordinance goes into effect in 30 days.
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