Local
DeKalb County Bans Unattended Dog Tethering, Adds Space Rules for Outdoor Enclosures
The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved an ordinance barring residents in unincorporated areas from leaving dogs tied up without supervision, and set minimum space requirements for outdoor enclosures. The measure takes effect six months after the county CEO signs it, with $50,000 earmarked for a pilot program to help owners in two districts build compliant enclosures.
DeKalb County commissioners have unanimously approved a new ordinance that prohibits residents in unincorporated parts of the county from leaving dogs tethered outdoors without supervision, a change aimed at curbing prolonged neglect of animals kept tied up for extended periods.
The Board of Commissioners passed the measure during its meeting on Tuesday. It will take effect six months after county CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson signs it. The ordinance also sets minimum space requirements for outdoor dog enclosures, requiring that dogs kept outside have enough room to move.
Commissioner Michelle Long Spears, who sponsored the legislation, said the previous rules made it difficult to intervene in cases of chronic neglect.
âA dog left tied up alone â day after day, month after month â suffers, and our old rules made that too hard to stop,â Spears said. âThis ordinance sets a clear standard: a dog on a tether must be attended, and dogs kept outside need enough room to move. Caring for our pets is part of caring for our people and our places, and this is a step toward a more humane DeKalb.â
To help residents comply, Spears and Super District 6 Commissioner Ted Terry have allocated a combined $50,000 toward a proposed pilot program. The program would assist residents in districts 2 and 6 in setting up proper enclosures. Residents can check which commission district they live in through the countyâs website.
The ordinance applies to unincorporated DeKalb County, which is governed directly by the county rather than by a city. Other metro Atlanta counties, including Fulton and Gwinnett, have already banned unattended tethering, putting DeKalb in line with a regional shift toward stricter animal welfare standards.
The new rules reflect growing attention to how pets are kept outdoors, particularly in neighborhoods where tethered dogs can be left alone for long stretches. Supporters say the combination of a clear supervision requirement and minimum space standards gives enforcement officials a firmer basis to act, while the pilot funding is intended to reduce the burden on owners who need to upgrade fencing or build enclosures.
The ordinanceâs six-month implementation window is designed to give residents time to adjust before enforcement begins. County officials have not yet announced details of how the pilot program will be administered or when applications will open.