Florida Senate - 2021 CS for SB 650
By the Committee on Agriculture; and Senators Taddeo, Book,
Rouson, Polsky, Cruz, Jones, Farmer, and Stewart
575-02381-21 2021650c1
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; authorizing enforcement of the
7 act in accordance with specified provisions; providing
8 construction; providing an effective date.
9
10 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
11
12 Section 1. Section 828.132, Florida Statutes, is created to
13 read:
14 828.132 Tethering of domestic dogs and cats.—
15 (1) As used in this section, the term “tether” means to tie
16 a domestic dog or domestic cat to a stationary or inanimate
17 object with a rope, chain, or other means to restrict, confine,
18 or restrain its movement.
19 (2)(a) A person may not tether a domestic dog or domestic
20 cat unless the person is physically present with and attending
21 to the dog or cat and the dog or cat remains visible to the
22 person at all times while tethered.
23 (b) A person may not tether a domestic dog or domestic cat
24 outdoors during severe weather, including, but not limited to,
25 extreme heat or cold, thunderstorms, lightning, tornadoes,
26 tropical storms, or hurricanes.
27 (3) This act does not apply to hunting dogs.
28 (4) Paragraph (2)(a) does not apply to tethering a domestic
29 dog or domestic cat in a manner that does not jeopardize its
30 health, safety, or well-being when:
31 (a) Attending, or participating in, a legal, organized
32 public event in which the dog or cat and the person are
33 permitted attendees or participants;
34 (b) Actively engaging in conduct that is directly related
35 to the business of shepherding or herding cattle or livestock or
36 related to the business of cultivating agricultural products and
37 tethering is reasonably necessary for its safety;
38 (c) Being treated by a veterinarian or serviced by a
39 groomer;
40 (d) Being trained for or actively serving in a law
41 enforcement capacity;
42 (e) Being cared for as part of a rescue operation during a
43 natural or manmade disaster;
44 (f) Temporarily tethered by any of the following entities
45 for a period of time which is no longer than necessary to
46 accomplish a task such as bathing, medical care, or any other
47 short-term valid purpose for the safety of the animal, other
48 animals, staff, or the public:
49 1. A public or private animal shelter.
50 2. A humane organization.
51 3. An animal control agency operated by a humane
52 organization; by a county, municipality, or other incorporated
53 political subdivision; or by a licensed commercial boarding
54 facility;
55 (g) Temporarily tethered while being kept in a bona fide
56 humane shelter or at a licensed commercial boarding facility; or
57 (h) Tethered in accordance with the regulations of a
58 camping or recreational area.
59 (5) A person who tethers a domestic dog or domestic cat in
60 violation of this section commits a noncriminal violation as
61 defined in s. 775.08(3) and is subject to the following
62 penalties:
63 (a) For a first offense, a written warning and notice to
64 comply.
65 (b) For a second offense, a fine of $250.
66 (c) For a third and every subsequent offense, a fine of
67 $500.
68 (6) This section may be enforced pursuant to s. 828.073.
69 (7) This section may not be construed to limit the
70 authority of any local governmental entity to adopt or enforce
71 an ordinance that is more restrictive or that imposes greater
72 penalties than this section.
73 Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2021.