Voorhees Township Committee is looking to pass new regulations for the tethering of dogs.
A new ordinance regarding the tethering of dogs had a first reading at the Voorhees Township Committee meeting on Feb. 9, and if passed, the new changes would start immediately.
According to township manager Larry Spellman, the new ordinance simply institutes some “common sense” regulations regarding humane treatment of dogs that nonetheless need to be put into law.
“There have been some complaints expressed by residents,” Spellman said. “The police have been dealing with it on a case-by-case basis, and this basically took the county’s draft of their suggested ordinance and mirrored what the county has and lets the police know what can and can’t be done.”
Should the ordinance be adopted upon second reading, it would make it unlawful to chain or tether unneutered or unspayed dogs in any way at any time within the township.
For neutered and spayed dogs, they can be tethered with a tether that weighs no more than one-eighth of the dog’s weight, is attached to a properly fitted harness or collar and is at least 15 feet long with an operative swivel.
The collar cannot be a prong collar, slip collar or choke chain collar, and when tethered, the dogs must always have access to sufficient food, water and shelter.
The tethering of dogs must also be limited to no more than four consecutive hours in a 24-hour period, and they cannot be tethered between sunset and sunrise.
Tethers must also not be used in areas in which it could become tangled around objects such as fences, stakes, poles or trees, and tethers must keep the dog no less than five feet away from walls, fences, vehicles, trees and pools.
Tethers must also keep dogs within the bounds of the owner or caregiver’s property, and cannot inhibit limb movement
According to the ordinance, if a violation occurs, law enforcement and animal control officers are authorized take reasonable measure to remove the animal from any tether and then take the animal to the pound.
In other news:
• At the Feb. 9 committee meeting, the annual sewer fee was increased from $120 to $130. According to Spellman, the sewer fee was $110 in 1995, and has gone up at a rate of about $10 every 10 years.
• Committee approved the addition of canopies to the Laurel Road and Burnt Mill Road bus shelters to protect those waiting for a bus from rain, snow, wind and other elements. Spellman said the additions would be paid for by New Jersey Transportation, but because Voorhees has control of the shelters, the committee still had to first approve the additions.
• Committee approved an interlocal purchasing agreement with Cranford Township for the purchase of police cars.
• Army Col. Jerome Heath recognized Army Col. Al Fisher for his decades of service and presented him with his shadow box.
