After a year of planning and outreach, Orange County’s tethering ban takes effect November 19th.

Last November, County Commissioners voted to limit dog-tethering within Orange County. Animal Services director Bob Marotto says the new law takes effect in a week.

Marotto says there are exceptions to the new tethering rule. Dogs can be tethered while under the supervision of a responsible adult, or for sporting or training events. Dogs can also be tethered while camping or hunting. Citizens who are caring for a stray dog can keep it tethered for up to seven days while trying to locate the animal’s owners.

From now until November 19th, Orange County Animal Control officers will be handing out warning notices. Once the grace period expires, owners who tether their dogs can be fined.

Marotto says the goal of the new ordinance is not to punish dog owners, but to improve the quality of life for dogs.

The new ordinance only applies to unincorporated areas of Orange County and Hillsborough. Chapel Hill has adopted a similar tethering law which takes effect next March. For more information, visit the Orange County website and click on the link for Animal Services.