Residents have a final chance to sound off on proposed changes to Forsyth County's animal control ordinance that would make illegal the tethering, or chaining, of dogs for more than three hours.

The proposed ordinance also addresses matters such as adequate food, water, shelter and space for animals.

The public hearing is set for 5:30 p.m. Monday in the county administration building. A decision could follow.

The county commission took no action on the matter at the first public hearing May 7, though residents took the opportunity to let the board know how they felt.

Jack Gleason told commissioners he thought the ordinance would be restrictive.

"I want to know why commissioners want to take the leash off the dog and put it on me," he said.

In a May 21 meeting, Humane Society of Forsyth County President Lisa Leonard spoke her piece.

"If you vote down the opportunity to protect these dogs ... this issue will never go away," she said. "The public will no longer accept inaction from any of us."

Enforcement would be complaint-based. If passed, there would be a six-month period before the measure would take effect.

Neighboring Cherokee and Fulton counties have adopted similar anti-tethering ordinances, as has the city of Gainesville.

E-mail Frank Reddy at frankreddy@forsythnews.com.