Tethering law proposes 12-hour limit to leaving dogs outside

The Nova Scotia government has released draft standards of care for animals that will prohibit pet owners from tethering dogs for more than 12 hours at a time.

Agriculture Minister Keith Colwell says the proposed changes will be added through regulations in the Animal Protection Act.

The act includes regulations governing animal restraints, outdoor shelters, animal enclosures and the transportation and sale of pets.

Colwell says the draft standards have also been expanded to cover cats as a result of consultations conducted last fall.

As part of the proposed changes, infractions under the act have been added to the list of summary offence tickets that can be issued by the SPCA protection officers and municipal bylaw officers.

The government says it will seek public feedback on the proposals through the Agriculture Department's website by March 31.