Florida Senate - 2021                                     SB 650
       
       
        
       By Senator Taddeo
       
       
       
       
       
       40-00675-21                                            2021650__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to tethering of domestic dogs and
    3         cats; creating s. 828.132, F.S.; defining the term
    4         “tether”; providing requirements for tethering
    5         domestic dogs and cats; providing applicability;
    6         providing penalties; providing for enforcement;
    7         providing an effective date.
    8          
    9  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   10  
   11         Section 1. Section 828.132, Florida Statutes, is created to
   12  read:
   13         828.132 Tethering of domestic dogs and cats.—
   14         (1) As used in this section, the term “tether” means to tie
   15  a domestic dog or domestic cat to a stationary or inanimate
   16  object with a rope, chain, or other means to restrict, confine,
   17  or restrain its movement.
   18         (2)(a) A person may not tether a domestic dog or domestic
   19  cat unless the person is physically present with and attending
   20  to the dog or cat and the dog or cat remains visible to the
   21  person at all times while tethered.
   22         (b) A person may not tether a domestic dog or domestic cat
   23  outdoors during severe weather, including, but not limited to,
   24  extreme heat or cold, thunderstorms, lightning, tornadoes,
   25  tropical storms, or hurricanes.
   26         (3) Paragraph (2)(a) does not apply to tethering a domestic
   27  dog or domestic cat in a manner that does not jeopardize its
   28  health, safety, or well-being when:
   29         (a) Attending, or participating in, a legal, organized
   30  public event in which the dog or cat and the person are
   31  permitted attendees or participants;
   32         (b) Actively engaging in conduct that is directly related
   33  to the business of shepherding or herding cattle or livestock or
   34  related to the business of cultivating agricultural products and
   35  tethering is reasonably necessary for its safety;
   36         (c) Being treated by a veterinarian or serviced by a
   37  groomer;
   38         (d) Being trained for or actively serving in a law
   39  enforcement capacity;
   40         (e) Being lawfully used to actively hunt a species of
   41  wildlife in the state during the hunting season for that species
   42  of wildlife;
   43         (f) Being cared for as part of a rescue operation during a
   44  natural or manmade disaster;
   45         (g) Temporarily tethered while being kept in a bona fide
   46  humane shelter or at a licensed commercial boarding facility; or
   47         (h) Tethered in accordance with the regulations of a
   48  camping or recreational area.
   49         (4) A person who tethers a domestic dog or domestic cat in
   50  violation of this section commits a noncriminal violation as
   51  defined in s. 775.08(3) and is subject to the following
   52  penalties:
   53         (a) For a first offense, a written warning and notice to
   54  comply within 30 calendar days.
   55         (b) For a second offense, a fine of $250.
   56         (c) For a third and every subsequent offense, a fine of
   57  $500.
   58         (5) This section shall be enforced pursuant to s. 828.073.
   59         Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2021.