County commissioners passed a new law Monday night banning the practice of tethering dogs in the city and county, after months of heated debate and a two-hour public hearing earlier this month.

Commissioner Lewis Cheek was the only dissenter on the five-member board, resulting in a 4-to-1 vote in favor of the new ordinance.

Durham now joins the town of Clayton to become the second Triangle jurisdiction to ban dog-tethering. Orange county leaders also have considered a similar ban, but have not yet adopted a new ordinance.

The law in Durham will go into effect Jan. 1, 2010, and will require dog owners who use chains, ropes or other tethers to find other means of keeping their dogs at home, such as fences or large pens.

In the first six months of the new law, animal control officers will issue warnings. After July 1, 2010, violators will be subject to fines.

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