Alexandria residents face a proposed law that would block dog owners from tying up their pets outside — whether at home or on city streets — for more than 60 minutes.
The City Council introduced an ordinance that would limit the amount of time residents or visitors can tether a dog outdoors to one hour per day. That includes tying dogs up outside restaurants in Old Town — a common practice during the summer.
Violators would face misdemeanor charges and fines starting at $50, and the city’s animal control officers would enforce the new tethering laws.
Vice Mayor Kerry Donley introduced the proposed law, saying it was intended to protect dogs from neglectful owners. The city’s animal control office also said it receives calls from residents complaining about barking dogs left outside.
“This is directed at people who chain their dogs and leave them outside all day without food and without water,” Donley said.
But even dog owners who provide their pets with food, water and plenty of space would face fines for violating the one hour per day tethering restrictions.
Donley asked the City Council to withhold its final vote until June to allow residents and the city’s Animal Welfare League to weigh in on the changes.
Councilwoman Alicia Hughes said she worried about the new law’s administrative and enforcement costs, as well as its effect on diners who take their dogs along to local restaurants.
Councilman Paul Smedberg agreed with Hughes and said he was also concerned that barring owners from tethering their dogs outside might lead to other, more neglectful behaviors.
“What about people that cage their dogs in their house all day because they’re away?” Smedberg said. “That to me is more cruel than having a dog out on a leash or on a chain.”
Donley, who owns a Yorkie named Cooper, said he understood his colleagues’ concerns, and reiterated that the ordinance was still open to adjustment. He also said his priority when introducing the ordinance was to protect the welfare of Alexandria’s dogs.
