Town Supervisor Pushes for Countywide Tether Law to Save Dogs

In a recent public safety committee meeting, significant discussions centered around the proposed Tether Law, with notable support from Town Supervisor Tom Chumbley. Chumbley attended the September meeting, marking a rare appearance by a town supervisor at such legislative gatherings. He expressed his strong backing for a county-wide Tether Law, emphasizing the need for a unified legal framework to avoid confusion among towns.

Chumbley highlighted the financial implications of not adopting a single county law, noting that individual towns could incur legal fees ranging from $1,700 to $1,900 to draft their own tethering regulations. Currently, only two towns have opted to maintain their tethering laws at the local level, a decision influenced by misconceptions regarding enforcement responsibilities. Contrary to earlier beliefs, the Clinton County Sheriff's Department will also play a role in enforcing the proposed law, alongside animal control agencies.

In a collaborative effort, Chumbley, Champlain Board Member Rick Hunter, and Champlain Town Supervisor Tom Tromblier have been working on a revised southern law aimed at addressing the welfare of neglected dogs in the county. Their draft focuses on essential restrictions to enhance the likelihood of legislative approval and is currently under review by legal counsel.

The discussions reflect a growing concern for animal welfare and the need for cohesive regulations that can be uniformly enforced across the county. The committee's efforts signal a proactive approach to addressing these issues while considering the financial burdens on individual towns.