Ordinance Would Limit Tethering Dogs, Control Puppy Mills

Pasco County commissioners want to tighten animal control laws to crack down on puppy mills and limit when people can tether their dogs outdoors.

The proposed changes to the county’s animal control ordinance would also bar people from selling dogs or cats at flea markets, street corners, at festivals or other outdoor venues.

Any breeder, kennel or animal dealer could only sell the dogs or cats at their place of business.

Commissioners will open the proposed changes to public comment on Tuesday, Dec. 6, at 1:30 p.m. in New Port Richey.

The new law would set conditions on when and how a dog is tied up outdoors.

The dog must be in sight, have adequate water, shelter and access to dry ground and the dog has to be at least six months old. The dog can’t be tied up in severe weather, including excessive heat or cold or during thunderstorms.

In addition, the rules set out the size and type of collar or harness and minimum length of the tether along with other requirements.

The law also would require any dog in a vehicle be safely enclosed by the vehicle or in a cage or restrained to keep it from being thrown from the vehicle or jumping out.

The new law would require anyone running a kennel or acting as a breeder to have a permit that includes an inspection from the county Animal Services Division.

Under the law, breeders would no longer be able to keep animals in cages that have only wire bottoms for flooring and in addition, the cages would have to be big enough for the animal to sit, stand, lie down, stretch and completely turn around.

The ordinance would require breeders to have proper ventilation and keep temperatures no hotter or cooler than the ambient temperature.

The law defines a breeder as someone who keeps dogs or cats that produce two or more litters or 20 animals in 12 months and a kennel as a place that has 15 or more dogs or cats.