LITITZ BOROUGH - With the forecasted heat and start of the summer season, the LBPD is offering this reminder to pet owners about the legal requirements related to the PA dog laws and animal cruelty statutes governing the tethering of dogs outside. PA law requires:

• Dogs may not be tethered for longer than a half hour in temperatures below 32 degrees or above 90 degrees.
• A tether must be at least three times the length of the dog or 10 feet, whichever  is longer.
• The tether must be secured by a mechanism designed to prevent the dog from being entangled.
• Tethered dogs must wear well-fitted collars or harnesses and have no open sores or wounds.
• Tethered dogs must have access to water and shade.
• The area where the dog is tethered must be clear of excessive waste.
• Tow or log chains and choke, pinch, prong or chain collars are not permitted.

For more information on the law, please click here.

A dog law tethering fact sheet is attached as a PDF to this post for reference.

Media contact: Media@LititzPD.org.