DeKalb County bans leaving dogs on a tether without supervision

Share Add Us On Google Add as a preferred source on Google ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Residents in unincorporated DeKalb County will no longer be able to leave their dogs alone on tethers. The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the ordinance during a meeting on Tuesday. It will take effect six months after county CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson signs it. The ordinance also establishes minimum space requirements for outdoor dog enclosures. “A dog left tied up alone — day after day, month after month — suffers, and our old rules made that too hard to stop,” Commissioner Michelle Long Spears, who sponsored the legislation, said. “This 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.” Spears and Super District 6 Commissioner Ted Terry have allocated a combined $50,000 toward a proposed pilot program to help residents in districts 2 and 6 set up proper enclosures. Click here to see what district you’re in. Other counties have already banned unattended tethering, including Fulton and Gwinnett. Copyright 2026 WANF. All rights reserved.