Huntington City Council has restricted the tethering of dogs following months of public debate and a protest by animal lovers who chained themselves to trees.

The ordinance approved Monday night prohibits tethering only when a dog's owner or guardian isn't present. The original proposal contained several restrictions, including limiting tethering of a dog to no more than ten hours a day.

Penalties for violators will range from $50 for the first offense to $500 for four or more offenses.

In June, some residents chained themselves to trees and a dog house to protest tethering. They wanted the practice banned outright rather than just restricted.

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