The Fort Worth City Council approved an ordinance Tuesday that generally prohibits pet owners from leaving unattended dogs tied up in yards.

The ban is similar to one already passed in Irving and Austin and another being discussed in Dallas. Dogs can't be tied to a stationary object or a trolley system, according to the new ordinance.

City officials said research by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that chained or roped dogs are 2.8 times more likely to bite. The American Veterinary Medical Association said in 2003 that "tethering" contributes to aggressive behavior.

There would be a few exceptions such as during veterinary treatment, grooming or similar activities and when a person has "direct physical control" of the dog.

Those exceptions are valid only if the dog has a "reasonable and unobstructed" range of motion and access to shelter and clean water.

An offense would be a Class C misdemeanor, similar to a traffic ticket, and subject to a fine of up to $2,000. The new ordinance is tougher than a 2007 state law that Fort Worth officials said was confusing and difficult to enforce. That state law included time and weather conditions for the prohibition against tethering.