Bloomberg signs dog leash law, but unclear wording may cause trouble

Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed a bill Tuesday limiting how long dog owners can tether their pets outside, but the law’s ambiguous wording could make it a nightmare to enforce.

According to the law, owners can keep their dogs tied up for no more than “three continuous hours in any continuous 12-hour period of time,” and must use leashes that don’t “choke” or “pinch.”

But when that 12 hours begin or reset is unclear, an ambiguity City Councilman Peter Vallone (D-Astoria), who introduced the bill, admits. But he said he plans to remove the confusing language.

“The tethering of animals to a stationary object for long periods of time can cause animals to suffer physically and psychologically,” Bloomberg said when signing the bill.

Violators will a get a warning on first offense, then fines of up to $500 and 90 days in jail on subsequent violations.