New Richmond’s recently passed anti-tethering legislation is being opposed by police chief David Willoughby.

The legislation, which was unanimously passed by village council Dec. 11, 2007, prohibits the tethering of cats and dogs to any object (stationary or otherwise) within the village limits.

Willoughby, who is a self-described dog lover and owns a Chinese Shar Pei, said that he had several reasons to “believe that the ordinance is unconstitutional, unnecessary, and a potential burden to local government.”

“Above all that, I believe this ordinance will result in danger to the public, increased abuse of dogs, and an increase in the euthanization of dogs in the village,” the chief wrote in his opposition letter to village council dated Jan. 8. “Since moving to New Richmond, we have been forced to keep our dog on a chain until the weather permits and our budget allows us to build a fence for him.”