Despite disability issues, a local man earns the next level of his black belt in karate.
The new tethering ordinance adopted by the Cedartown City Commission in January is officially in effect.
The crux of the ordinance: animals can be tethered temporarily outdoors but they cannot be kept outdoors on a tether continually.
Taken straight from the ordinance, the law states: It shall be unlawful for any owner of a domestic animal to chain, tie, fasten or otherwise tether the animal to dog houses, trees, fences, vehicles or other stationary objects as a means of confinement except that the animal may be temporarily confined by a t ether while attended by its owner.
Both the City of Cedartown Code Enforcement Department and the Polk County Animal Control are working together to enforce the new ordinance.
No citations have been issued to date. Though if they do get issued, owners have 30 days to correct the issue or face further sanctions.
As the city continues to be on the lookout for tethering ordinance violations and the City of Rockmart looks to consider their own ordinance, Cedartown-Polk County Humane Society president Charlotte Harrison wants pet owners to get their dogs used to the idea of either being in a fencedin area, kennel or inside.
“How to handle a dog that has been tethered can be complicated because people tether for a variety of reasons,” she said. “Most people that do it never consider the harm it can cause to the dog.”
So what pet owners do about their family dog depends largely on the reasons for tethering in the first place, whether they be because a landlord won’t let pets inside rental property, or if the pup in question is prone to escaping.
However, Harrison has some general ideas for those worried about what to do with their pups and keeping them safe indoors and out.
“If you plan on bringing the dog inside, you may need to take it very slow and teach the dog to be calm. First you can walk him through the areas in which you want him to be loose in the future,” Harrison said. “Use a leash and harness rather than collar because of choking issues, and have a handful of food or treats. As your dog is looking around, give him food or treat for doing nothing.”
Following that, she said let the dog start learning to settle on the leash, and then going further as the dog gets used to being indoors. She reminds pet owners to be particularly patient with their pups when they are getting used to being indoors or in a new space like a kennel.
“Dogs can only offer dog behaviors, and most dogs who have never been inside will likely offer behaviors most people don’t like,” she said. “By teaching the dog that settling and being calm is the best option, you will be setting your dog up for a successful future indoors.”