Officials voted in favor of a new ordinance that places more restrictions on dog tethering in the City of Trenton.

The new ordinance, which made it past the first reading Monday, must be voted on once more before it becomes an active city ordinance. A Downriver animal cruelty group called C.H.A.I.N.E.D., Continuing Helping Animals In Need & Educating Dog owners, inspired Ordinance 768 at a city council meeting on Jan. 22.

An ordinance similar to the one proposed in Trenton was recently passed in Woodhaven. Woodhaven Mayor Patty Odette is a volunteer for the group and attended the January meeting.

"These people (C.H.A.I.N.E.D.) are unsung heroes," Odette said. "They're out in the middle if the night. They're out in freezing cold. They're out in 100 degree temperatures." Odette said Dearborn and Dearborn Heights also passed a similar ordinance.

Janet Conley, director of field operations C.H.A.I.N.E.D., spoke to council members on Jan.22 about the growing concern for tethering dogs in Trenton, the Downriver area and in Detroit.

The non-profit group's mission statement is to enhance the lives of dogs who are tethered outside at all times by providing supplies and services and by educating dog owners, according to the C.H.A.I.N.E.D. website.

Conley told council there is at least one case of a dog in Trenton that is tethered outside at all times and has been for the past ten years. She said she has been working with the owner to provide help and education for the dog and the owner. "The dog is still chained 24/7 as we speak today," Conley said to council. "When we first went to this home in Trenton the owner was very unreceptive."