City of Baker Springs, Tennessee

Ordinance O-31-2020

Council Districts Affected: All Council Districts

Background 

Original Background:

Chapter 5 of the Baker Springs municipal code deals with the keeping of domesticated animals by residents. Currently, leash laws for dogs require that any dogs are to be properly restrained in public spaces, meaning that they are “adequately controlled by an able-bodied individual via leash or chain.” Dogs that fall under therapy animals or seeing eye dog as defined under Chapter 5 are not currently subject to this definition of properly restrained. 

New Background: 

Chapter 5 of the Bake Springs municipal code shall be updated to include a more robust definition for properly restrained, which shall henceforth be defined as “adequately controlled by an able-bodied individual via non-retractable leash or chain.” 

There have been multiple local reports of domesticated dogs breaking free from the restraint of their owners when their owners have used retractable leashes, which may not be properly rated for dogs of certain breeds. As such, they will no longer satisfy the definition for properly restrained. 

Options: Approve or Deny.

Recommendation: Approve. 

Estimated Project Schedule: N/A
Fiscal Information: N/A