City council votes to prohibit tethering of all unattended animals

MADISON – The Madison City Council approved an ordinance to prohibit tethering of unattended animals within the city limits.

According to the city’s animal cruelty code before the change, it was legal to tether an animal as long as the tether is longer than eight feet. City attorney Megan Zingeralli told the city council members the change will eliminate all tethering of all unattended animals.

The new code reads, “It shall be unlawful for the owner or custodian of any animal to: restrain an unattended animal with a leash or tether, or fixed point chaining or tethering the animal, to a stationary object, including but not limited to a house, tree, fence, post, garage, or shed.”

The change is identical to what Huntsville now has, which went into effect in March. Madison’s tethering ban will go into effect Aug. 1.

Zingeralli said owners will be $250 for the first offense, $500 for the second offense and 10 days in jail for the third offense.

“This simply gives our police department an opportunity and more teeth, were something that was happening improperly with animals, to be taken care of,” said Madison Mayor Paul Finley.

The city council approved the change 4-1. Gerald Clark voted against the change and Greg Shaw was not present at the meeting last night.