Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
New Bill Would Put Three Hour Limit On Dog Tethering
By
Ben Yakas
Published Dec 18, 2010
Modified Dec 18, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Yakas
Published Dec 18, 2010
Modified Dec 18, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Recently, we wondered whether leaving your dog outside for long periods of time in sub-freezing weather could be considered animal cruelty. It seems that the city council was pondering a similar question: this week, a new measure was proposed that would bar dog owners from tethering their pets outside for longer than three hours in a continuous 12-hour period.
City Councilman and pet lover Peter Vallone introduced the bill, which was also backed by the ASPCA. He argued that cities such as Los Angeles and San Francisco already have enacted stricter regulations that ban tethering entirely: "I don't expect the police to go around with stopwatches. I expect it to be complaint driven." ASPCA officials argued that tethered dogs can and have become aggressive, and leaving them outside exposes them to injury from other animals, people, and extreme weather conditions. Deputy Health Commissioner Dan Kass seemed doubtful of the measure passing because of logistics; according to the Post, he said the city would be hard pressed to enforce such a measure under any circumstances since inspectors would theoretically have to witness the three-hour violation in order to give out $250 summonses.
Tagged
aspca
dogs
outdoors
peter vallone
tethering
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYC Council to consider earlier Legionella reporting after deadly outbreaks
A bill facing a hearing Monday would require cooling tower owners to notify city health officials when bacteria levels reach a much lower threshold.
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 7:36 p.m. ET
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
By
Gino Fanelli
NYPD identifies Bronx man, 26, killed in Midtown subway shooting
By
Ryan Kost
,
Elizabeth Kim
and
Phil Corso
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .