Punxsutawney Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Paige Pifer reported January 2 that Rudy J. Wengerd had an animal tethered for more than 30 minutes in temperatures lower than 32 degrees.
Under Libre’s Law, new legislation strengthening Pennsylvania’s animal protection statutes signed into effect on June 29, 2017, an animal cannot be tethered outside for more than 30 minutes whenever the temperature exceeds 90 degrees or falls below 32 degrees.
Other provisions in Libre’s Law relating to tethered dogs include:
- No more than 9 hours tethered in 24-hour period
- Tether must be the longer of 3 times length of dog or 10 feet.
- Must have water and shade.
- Must be secured by an appropriate collar — no tow or log chain, nor choke, pinch, prong, or chain collars.
- Tethered space must be clear of excessive waste.
- No open sores or wounds on the dog’s body.
More information on Libre’s Law is available here.