Glendale Enacts Animal Cruelty Ordinance, Prohibits Tethering and More

Great News for Pets! The City of Glendale, in Close Partnership with the Arizona Humane Society, has Updated its Animal Cruelty Ordinance.

Provisions include a ban on tethering, ventilation requirements, adequate space for exercise, and more. Glendale’s animal cruelty ordinance now mirrors the state statute that requires food, water, shelter and medical care.

“The City of Glendale’s animal cruelty ordinance is a huge win for Glendale’s pets,” said AHS’ Field Operations Manager, Chris West. “It mirrors the Arizona statute, and it brings us one step closer to ensuring the pets of Glendale are happy and healthy. We are especially grateful for the anti-tethering and ventilation aspects of the ordinance.”

Key Provisions:

• Tethering: With the exception of temporary tethering of horses, the use of tie-outs such as chains, leashes, wires, cables, ropes or similar restraining devices for the purpose of animal confinement is hereby prohibited, no matter the weather conditions. Previously, the City of Phoenix was the only city in the Valley to prohibit tethering under certain parameters.
• Ventilation: The animal must have access to adequate ventilation and be protected from temperature extremes at all times. In this connection, it is unlawful for any person to keep any animal in a vehicle or other enclosed space in which the temperature is either so high or so low, or the ventilation is so inadequate, as to endanger the animal’s life or health.
• Exercise space: The animal must be given adequate exercise space within an enclosure that shall be constructed of material, and in a manner, to minimize the risk of injury to the animal, and shall encompass sufficient usable space to keep the animal in good condition.

Penalties to the above and more are considered Class 1 misdemeanors. A violation of any provision of this section is punishable by a fine of up to $2,500, six months in jail, three years’ probation or any combination thereof.

“We are pleased that our city council has enacted an ordinance that enhances our capability to protect animals in our city against cruelty and abuse. We are also grateful that the ordinance gives us additional abilities to require humane treatment of animals. We will continue to work in coordination with AHS in a conservative effort to serve our citizens and effectively enforce animal cruelty and neglect laws,” said Glendale Chief of Police, Rick St. John.

“AHS works closely with the City of Glendale on suspected cases of animal cruelty, abuse and neglect and was pleased to partner with the City to provide model legislation for incorporation into the new ordinance, which advances standards of care for Glendale pets,” said Dr. Steven Hansen, AHS’ President and CEO. “We commend the City of Glendale in becoming the first in Maricopa County to enact ventilation requirements, which provides AHS’ Field Operations Team with an additional tool to tackle large-scale hoarding cases.”

The Arizona Humane Society partners closely with the City of Glendale and other cities within the Valley on suspected cases of animal cruelty, abuse, and neglect. Last year, AHS’ Field Operation Team responded to more than 11,000 animal rescues and investigations.

Read the Full Ordinance