The Haywood County Commissioners are scheduled to vote on a new animal ordinance November 2. It would require dog tethers to swivel and be “of a suitable length” over an unobstructed area so pets can have easy access to food. Tethers are also to have choke collars so dogs do not get strangled. Vicious animals are to be kept muzzled and away from children when outside.

Like ordinances elsewhere, this one had people concerned they would soon not be able to tether pets at all. Most people cannot afford to build a kennel for their dog. Persons in favor of the ordinance argued at a public hearing that Haywood County is “woefully” behind the national standard for pet ordinances. It was recommended that tethering be forbidden altogether and that spay and neuter laws be enacted.