The Orange County Board of Commissioners passed an ordinance Tuesday that limits tethering to three hours per day.

Suzanne Roy, a volunteer with the Coalition of Unchained Dogs, said tethering is inhumane because dogs are kept from exercise and social environments.

She adds that tethered dogs are three times more likely to bite and that counties without laws often have public nuisance issues.

The fencing project, an effort headed by the Coalition of Unchained dogs, is one alternative to tethering.

The group builds fences for families who don’t have to resources for their dogs.

The law will go into effect in 18 months and warnings will be issued six months before the law goes into place.

Commissioners Chairman Barry Jacobs said the law will be complaint-driven, which means neighbors will be in charge of reporting incidents.

Orange County is the fourth county in North Carolina to pass a law limiting tethering.