The Phoenix City Council unanimously voted to update its animal cruelty ordinance to further restrict the tethering of pets.
It had been illegal to tether pets outdoors during extreme weather conditions, including triple-digit temperatures. The new ordinance bans the practice altogether unless the pet is under direct supervision.
Don Bentley is an animal rights advocate.
“Dog tethering results in a great deal of animal cruelty. Outside temperature is an important factor but it’s not the only one. Your proposed changes address the root problem and ban the practice entirely unless it’s under direct supervision of the dog owner," Bentley said.
Violators will be met with fines and possible jail time depending on the case. The ordinance is set to take effect in mid-July.
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