If you live in Athens and have a dog that you keep chained up outside, you may want to attend an Oct. 22 public hearing on a proposed ordinance that could change the rules on this practice.

Athens City Council members decided during their regular meeting Monday to hold a public hearing on a proposed ordinance that would change or ban the tethering of dogs in the city limits.

The public hearing will be 5:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 22, in the City Council Chamber at City Hall, 200 W. Hobbs St.

The city is currently looking at two proposed ordinances — one that would allow dogs to be tied up but only on a run or zip-line to ensure the dog has more room to move around and an ordinance that would ban all tethering. The proposed ordinances are labeled Option A and Option B.

Option A

Option A allows dogs to be kept on a tether or in a pen. When kept in an enclosure, the enclosure must be at least 100 square feet with neither width or length less than 8 feet for dogs 30 pounds or more, and 36 square feet nor length less than 6 feet for dogs less than 30 pounds.

If dogs are kept on a tether, it must not be secured to a stationary object but on a trolley or cable run system with only one dog attached. It cannot be less than 12 feet long.

Dogs cannot have a choke collar. The tether must have a swivel on one end and be of an appropriate size and strength to restrain dog.

The tether’s length must allow access to shelter and water and prevent the dogs from being subjected to dangerous physical conditions. Dog cannot be in unsanitary conditions. Shelter must be moisture-proof and windproof. Dogs cannot be kept in a carport or garage.

Option B

Option B is similar to option A except that dogs can’t be kept on tethers at all.

This does not apply to dogs on leashes in the presence of owners. City attorney Shane Black told The News Courier working in the backyard with a dog would also be an exception to the no-tether rule.

Council members said they would vote on the two proposed ordinances after the public hearing.

Councilman Harold Wales investigated tethering bans in other cities and spoke with those city officials about implementing such rules. Athens’ proposed changes would mirror tethering restrictions in Florence, Cullman, Franklin, Tennessee, and Iuka, Mississippi.

If the council chooses either one of the ordinances, Athens Police Department would be in charge of enforcing it.

Councilmen discussed how much time to give animal owners to prepare runners or enclosures before a new ordinance would be enforced, if the council chooses to do that.

Wales said two of the cities he spoke with granted 90 days, which appeared amenable to other council members present as they did not speak against it.

Council members appeared ready to vote on one or the other proposed ordinances, but Councilman Frank Travis asked the council to hold a public hearing. He said he would only be able to justify his vote on the proposed ordinance if residents were allowed a public hearing to give their opinions.

Councilman Wayne Harper agreed a public hearing to get residents’ opinions of the proposed change would not be a problem.

Council President Seibert said he had no issue with calling a public hearing.

Wales also agreed.

Councilman Joseph Cannon was out of town and could not attend the meeting.