Full Title Name:  Table of State Dog Tether Laws

West’s Ann. Cal. Health & Safety Code § 122335

West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 597t

West’s Ann. Cal. Health & Safety Code § 122335:

No person shall tether, fasten, chain, tie, or restrain a dog to any dog house, tree, fence, or other stationary object.

A person may temporarily tether a dog “no longer than is necessary for the person to complete a temporary task.”

West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 597:

If an animal is restricted by a leash, rope, or chain, the leash, rope, or chain shall be affixed in such a manner that it will prevent the animal from becoming entangled or injured and permit the animal's access to adequate shelter, food, and water. Violation of this section constitutes a misdemeanor.

West’s Ann. Cal. Health & Safety Code § 122335:

Infraction or misdemeanor

Animal control may issue a warning to a person who violates this chapter, requiring the owner to correct the violation, in lieu of an infraction or misdemeanor, unless the violation endangers the health or safety of the animal, or the animal has been wounded as a result of the activity.

West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 597:

Misdemeanor

No person shall tether a dog to a stationary object or to a mobile device, including, but not limited to, a trolley or pulley by means of:

1. A tether that does not allow such dog to walk at least eight feet, excluding the length of such dog as measured from the tip of such dog's nose to the base of such dog's tail, in any one direction,
2. a tether that does not have swivels on both ends to prevent twisting and tangling, unless a person is in the presence of such dog,
3. a coat hanger, choke collar, prong-type collar, head halter or any other collar, halter or device that is not specifically designed or properly fitted for the restraint of such dog,
4. a tether that has weights attached or that contains metal chain links more than one-quarter of an inch thick, or
5. a tether that allows such dog to reach an object or hazard, including, but not limited to, a window sill, edge of a pool, fence, public road or highway, porch or terrace railing that poses a risk of injury or strangulation to such dog if such dog walks into or jumps over such object or hazard, unless a person is in the presence of such dog.

Also prohibits tethering dog outdoors to a stationery object or to a mobile device (i.e., trolley or pulley) when a weather advisory or warning is issued by authorities, or when outdoor conditions (extreme heat, cold, wind, rain, snow or hail) pose an adverse risk to the health or safety of particular dog unless tethering is for a duration of not longer than fifteen minutes.

Fine of no more than $100 for 1^st offense

$100-250 for 2^nd offense

$250-500 for any subsequent offenses

If dog houses with tethers are used as primary enclosures for dogs kept outdoors, the tethers shall be attached so that the dog cannot become entangled with other objects or come into physical contact with other dogs in the housing facility, and so the dog can roam to the full range of the tether.

Tethers shall be attached to the dog by means of a well-fitted collar that will not cause trauma or injury to the dog. Tethers shall not be attached to a choke, pinch, prong, or martingale collar. The tether shall be a minimum of 10 feet in length and allow the dog convenient access to the dog house and to food and water containers. The dog may not be tethered for more than 2 hours when the dog owner or a responsible person is not present on the property.

No dog shall be confined outside and unattended during any period in which a hazardous weather advisory or warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for the local area or where conditions pose a serious adverse risk to the health and safety of a dog. This expressly includes, but is not limited to, a dog in a yard or a dog that is tethered.

An owner who refuses, fails or neglects to comply with this section shall be penalized as follows:

For a first violation, a civil penalty of $100 in addition to costs.

For a second violation, a civil penalty of $250 in addition to costs.

For each subsequent violation, a civil penalty of $500 in addition to costs.

"Cruelly chains" means attaching an animal to a stationary object or a pulley by means of a chain, rope, tether, leash, cable, or similar restraint under circumstances that may endanger its health, safety, or well-being.

Cruelly chains includes a tether that:

• Causes the animal to choke

• Does not permit the animal to reach food, water, shade, dry ground
  

• Does not permit the animal to escape harm

Imprisonment up to 180 days and/or fine up to $250

A person commits the offense of cruelty to animals in the second degree if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly:

(g) Tethers, fastens, ties, or restrains a dog to a doghouse, tree, fence, or any other stationary object, or uses a trolley, trolley with swivels, pulley, cable, running line, or trolley lacking swivels at each end that is designed to attach a dog to two stationary objects in a configuration that endangers the dog, including preventing the dog from obtaining necessary sustenance;

(h) Tethers or restrains a dog under the age of six months unless the dog is engaged in an activity supervised by its owner or an agent of its owner;

(i) Tethers or restrains a dog by a tow or log chain;

(j) Tethers or restrains by means of choke collar, pinch collar, or prong collar unless the dog is engaged in an activity supervised by its owner or an agent of its owner;

Cruelty to animals in the second degree is a misdemeanor, except where the offense involves ten or more pet animals in any one instance which is a class C felony.

70/3 (b) To lawfully tether a dog outdoors, an owner must ensure that the dog:

(1) does not suffer from a condition that is known, by that person, to be exacerbated by tethering;

(2) is tethered in a manner that will prevent it from becoming entangled with other tethered dogs;

(3) is not tethered with a lead that (i) exceeds one-eighth of the dog's body weight or (ii) is a tow chain or a log chain;

(4) is tethered with a lead that measures, when rounded to the nearest whole foot, at least 10 feet in length;

(5) is tethered with a properly fitting harness or collar other than the lead or a pinch, prong, or choke-type collar; and

(6) is not tethered in a manner that will allow it to reach within the property of another person, a public walkway, or a road.

"Neglect" means restraining an animal for more than a brief period in a manner that endangers the animal's life or health by the use of a rope, chain, or tether that:

• is too heavy
  

• causes the animal to choke
  

• is less than 3x the length of the animal
  

• seriously endangers the animal's life or health

LSA-R.S. 14:102.26

LSA-R.S. 3:2362

LSA-R.S. 14:102.26:

It shall be unlawful to tie, tether, or restrain any animal in a manner that is inhumane, cruel, or detrimental to its welfare.

LSA-R.S. 3:2362: 

It is prohibited to tie or tether a dog or cat in a manner that exposes the dog or cat to extreme weather conditions in the following designated emergency areas:

(1) A designated emergency area during a flood or hurricane in which a disaster or emergency, as defined in R.S. 29:723, is declared by executive order or proclamation of the governor.

(2) A designated emergency area during a flood or hurricane in which a local disaster or emergency, as defined in R.S. 29:723, is declared by a local political subdivision of the state.

LSA-R.S. 14:102.26:

Violation results in fine up to $300

LSA-R.S. 3:2362:

A local governing authority may establish a fine not to exceed $75 which may be imposed on anyone who violates the provisions of this Section.

7 M. R. S. A.  § 3972

7 M. R. S. A. § 4015

7 M. R. S. A.  § 3972 ("Unlawful use of animals"):

Unlawful to tie, tether or restrain any animal in a manner that is inhumane or detrimental to its welfare.

7 M. R. S. A. § 4015 ("Proper shelter, protection from the weather and humanely clean conditions"):

When tethering is the primary means of confinement for a dog, the standards for shelter and tethering are as follows:

The chain or tether must be attached to both the dog and the anchor using swivels or similar devices that prevent the chain or tether from becoming entangled or twisted. The chain or tether must be attached to a well-fitted collar or harness on the dog. For dogs other than dogs kept as sled dogs or dogs used in competition, the chain or tether must be at least 5 times the length of the dog measured from the tip of its nose to the base of its tail. For dogs kept as sled dogs or dogs used in competition, the chain or tether must be:

(1) At least 2.5 times the length of the dog measured from the tip of its nose to the base of its tail if the anchor is stationary; or

(2) At least 1.5 times the length of the dog measured from the tip of its nose to the base of its tail if the anchor is a pivot point allowing a 360° area of movement.

[Note: identical provision in 17 M. R. S. A. § 1037 (Animal Welfare for shelters, kennels, breeders, etc.)]

7 M. R. S. A.  § 3972:

Any person who makes unlawful use of animals contrary to this section commits a civil violation for which a forfeiture not to exceed $100 may be adjudged.

7 M. R. S. A. § 4015:

Under § 4016, a person who violates this chapter commits a civil violation.

A person may not leave a dog outside and unattended by use of a restraint that unreasonably limits the movement of the dog;

Or one that uses a collar that:

• is made primarily of metal
  
  
• is not at least as large as the circumference of the dog's neck plus 1 inch
  
  
• that restricts the access of the dog to suitable and sufficient clean water or appropriate shelter
  
  
• in unsafe or unsanitary conditions
  
  
• that causes injury to the dog

General tethering guidelines:

No person owning or keeping a dog shall chain or tether a dog for longer than 5 hours in a 24-hour period and outside from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., unless the tethering is for not more than 15 minutes and the dog is not left unattended by the owner, guardian or keeper.

A tethering employed shall not allow the dog to leave the owner's, guardian's or keeper's property.

The tether shall be designed for dogs and no logging chains or other lines or devices not designed for tethering dogs shall be used.

No chain or tether shall weigh more than ⅛ of the dog's body weight.

No dog under the age of 6 months shall be tethered outside for any length of time.

Trolley guidelines:

A trolley system or a tether attached to a pulley in a cable run, if the following conditions are met:

(i) only 1 dog shall be tethered to each cable run;

(ii) the tether shall be attached to a properly fitting collar or harness worn by the dog, with enough room between the collar and the dog's throat through which 2 adult fingers may fit; provided, however, that a choke collar and a pinch collar shall not be used to tether a dog to a cable run;

(iii) there shall be a swivel on at least 1 end of the tether to minimize tangling of the tether;

(iv) the tether and cable run must each be at least 10 feet in length. The cable must be mounted at least 4 feet but not more than 7 feet above ground level; and

(v) the length of the tether from the cable run to the dog's collar or harness shall allow continuous access to clean water and appropriate shelter at all times as described in subsection (c); provided, however, that a trolley system or tether shall be of appropriate configuration to confine the dog to the owner's, guardian's or keeper's property, to prevent the trolley system or tether from extending over an object to an edge that could result in injury to or strangulation of the dog and to prevent the trolley system or tether from becoming tangled with other object or animals.

Extreme weather:

A person shall not leave a dog outside when a weather advisory, warning or watch is issued by a local, state or federal authority or when outside environmental conditions including, but not limited to, extreme heat, cold, wind, rain, snow or hail pose an adverse risk to the health or safety of the dog based on the dog's breed, age or physical condition, unless the tethering is for not more than 15 minutes.

Inhumane chaining:

No person owning or keeping a dog shall subject the dog to cruel conditions or inhumane chaining or the tethering at any time. For the purposes of this subsection, “cruel conditions and inhumane chaining or tethering” shall include, but not be limited to, the following conditions:

(1) filthy and dirty confinement conditions including, but not limited to, exposure to excessive animal waste, garbage, dirty water, noxious odors, dangerous objects that could injure or kill a dog upon contact or other circumstances that could cause harm to a dog's physical or emotional health;

(2) taunting, prodding, hitting, harassing, threatening or otherwise harming a tethered or confined dog; and

(3) subjecting a dog to dangerous conditions, including attacks by other animals.

First offense, issued a written warning or punished by a fine of not more than $50

Second offense, punished by a fine of not more than $200

Third or subsequent offense, punished by a fine of not more than $500, and be subject to impoundment of the dog in a local shelter at the owner's, keeper’s or guardian's expense pending compliance with this section, or loss of ownership of the dog.

An owner, possessor, or person having custody shall not tether a dog unless the tether is at least 3 times the length of the dog and is attached to a harness or nonchoke collar designed for tethering.

1 animal: 93 days imprisonment and/or $1,000 fine (misdemeanor)

2 or 3 animals or the death of an animal: 1 year/$2,000 fine (misdemeanor)

4-10 animals or at least one previous conviction: 2 years/$2,000 fine (felony)

10 or more animals: 4 years/$5,000 fine (felony)

A person shall not restrain a dog:

Using a tether, chain, tie, trolley or pulley system or other device that:

1. Is less than 12 feet in length;

2. Fails to allow the dog to move at least 12 feet or, if the device is a pulley system, fails to allow the dog to move a total of 12 feet; or

3. Allows the dog to reach a fence or other object that may cause the dog to become injured or die by strangulation after jumping the fence or object or otherwise becoming entangled in the fence or object;

Using a prong, pinch or choke collar or similar restraint; or

For more than 14 hours during a 24-hour period.

For the first offense within the immediately preceding 7 years, is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be sentenced to:

(1) Imprisonment in the city or county jail or detention facility for not less than 2 days, but not more than 6 months; and

(2) Perform not less than 48 hours, but not more than 120 hours, of community service.

The person shall be further punished by a fine of not less than $200, but not more than $1,000. A term of imprisonment imposed pursuant to this paragraph may be served intermittently at the discretion of the judge or justice of the peace, except that each period of confinement must be not less than 4 consecutive hours and must occur either at a time when the person is not required to be at the person's place of employment or on a weekend.

For the second offense within the immediately preceding 7 years, is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be sentenced to:

(1) Imprisonment in the city or county jail or detention facility for not less than 10 days, but not more than 6 months; and

(2) Perform not less than 100 hours, but not more than 200 hours, of community service.

The person shall be further punished by a fine of not less than $500, but not more than $1,000.

For the third and any subsequent offense within the immediately preceding 7 years, is guilty of a category C felony.

A person cruelly restrains a dog if the person tethers a dog:

(1) which is a nursing female, or which is less than four months old;

(2) outdoors between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., but this paragraph shall not take effect until 18 months after the date on which this act takes effect;

(3) in an unoccupied building or upon vacant property;

(4) in a manner that does not permit the dog continuous access to water in a sanitary and liquid state whenever the dog is tethered for more than 30 minutes;

(5) in a manner that exposes the dog to adverse environmental conditions for more than 30 minutes;

(6) by means of a choke collar, prong collar, head harness, or any other type of collar, harness, or similar device other than a properly fitted body harness or buckle-type collar;

(7) by using a chain with metal links that are more than one-quarter of an inch thick, or a tether, collar, or harness to which a weight is attached;

(8) with a tether on which more than one dog is restrained;

(9) with a tether that is less than 15 feet in length or which does not permit the dog to walk at least 15 feet in any one direction; or

(10) with a tether that permits the dog to reach another dog or an object or location that poses a risk of entanglement, strangulation, drowning, or other harm to the health or safety of the dog, including, but not limited to, another dog's tether or a window sill, fence, wall, porch, terrace railing, vehicle, tree, pole, pool, or public road or highway.

A person who maliciously restrains a dog using a chain or wire grossly in excess of the size necessary to restrain the dog safely violates this law.

For purposes of this section, "maliciously" means the person imposed the restraint intentionally and with malice or bad motive.

ORS § 167.343

ORS § 167.325

ORS § 167.330

In 2013, the state enacted a new law called "Unlawful Tethering." 

A person commits the offense of unlawful tethering if the person tethers a domestic animal in the person's custody or control:

(a) With a tether that is not a reasonable length given the size of the domestic animal and available space and that allows the domestic animal to become entangled in a manner that risks the health or safety of the domestic animal;

(b) With a collar that pinches or chokes the domestic animal when pulled;

(c) For more than 10 hours in a 24-hour period; or

(d) For more than 15 hours in a 24-hour period if the tether is attached to a running line, pulley or trolley system.

Unlawful tethering is a Class B violation.

Penalty under Animal Neglect in the Second Degree:

Under 167.325, a person commits the crime of animal neglect in the second degree if he or she intentionally, knowingly, recklessly or with criminal negligence tethers a domestic animal in the person's custody or control and the tethering results in physical injury to the domestic animal.

Animal neglect in the second degree is a Class B misdemeanor

Animal neglect in the second degree is a Class C felony if:

(a) The person committing the offense has previously been convicted of two or more offenses under this section, ORS 167.330 or the equivalent laws of another jurisdiction;

(b) The offense was part of a criminal episode involving 11 or more animals; or

(c) The person knowingly commits the offense in the immediate presence of a minor child and the person has one or more previous convictions for an offense involving domestic violence.

Penalty under Animal Neglect in the First Degree:

Under 167.330, a person commits the crime of animal neglect in the first degree if the person intentionally, knowingly, recklessly or with criminal negligence  tethers a domestic animal in the person's custody or control and the tethering results in serious physical injury or death to the domestic animal.

Animal neglect in the first degree is a Class A misdemeanor.

Animal neglect in the first degree is a Class C felony if:

(a) The person committing the offense has previously been convicted of one or more offenses under this section, ORS 167.325 or the equivalent laws of another jurisdiction;

(b) The offense was part of a criminal episode involving 10 or more animals; or

(c) The person knowingly commits the offense in the immediate presence of a minor child.

There is a rebuttable presumption that the tethering is or is not neglect based on circumstances.

If the dog has been tethered less than 9 hours within a 24-hour period with all of the following conditions, it is a rebuttable presumption that it IS NOT neglect:

(i) The tether is of a type commonly used for the size and breed of dog and is at least three times the length of the dog as measured from the tip of its nose to the base of its tail or 10 feet, whichever is longer.

(ii) The tether is secured to a well-fitted collar or harness by means of a swivel anchor, swivel latch or other mechanism designed to prevent the dog from becoming entangled.

(iii) The tethered dog has access to potable water and an area of shade that permits the dog to escape the direct rays of the sun.

(iv) The dog has not been tethered for longer than 30 minutes in temperatures above 90 or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

By contrast, there IS a rebuttable presumption of neglect if the following conditions exist:

(i) Excessive waste or excrement in the area where the dog is tethered.

(ii) Open sores or wounds on the dog's body.

(iii) The use of a tow or log chain, or a choke, pinch, prong or chain collar.

The state provides punishment for neglect in 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 5532.

Violation is a summary offense.

However, if the violation causes bodily injury to the animal or places the animal at imminent risk of serious bodily injury, a violation of this section is a misdemeanor of the third degree.

It is a violation for an owner or keeper to:

(1) Keep any dog on a permanent tether that restricts movement of the tethered dog to an area less than one hundred thirteen square feet (113 sq. ft.), or less than a six foot (6′) radius at ground level.

(2) Tether a dog with a choke-type collar, head collar, or prong-type collar. The weight of any chain or tether shall not exceed one-eighth ( ⅛ ) of the dog's total body weight.

(3) Keep any dog tethered for more than ten (10) hours during a twenty-four-hour (24) period or keep any dog confined in an area or primary enclosure for more than fourteen (14) hours during any twenty-four-hour (24) period, and more than ten (10) hours during a twenty-four-hour (24) period, if the area is not greater than that which is required under the most recently adopted version of the department of environmental management's rules and regulations governing animal care facilities.

(4) Tether a dog anytime from the hours of ten o'clock p.m. (10:00 p.m.) to six o'clock a.m. (6:00 a.m.), except for a maximum of fifteen (15) minutes.

(5) Keep any dog outside, either tethered or otherwise confined, when the ambient temperature is beyond the industry standard for the weather safety scale as set forth in the most recent adopted version of the Tufts Animal Care and Condition Weather Safety Scale (TACC). 

Any person in violation of this section shall be imprisoned not exceeding 11 months, or fined not less than $50.00 nor exceeding $500, or both. Each day of violation shall constitute a separate offense.

1st offense: Class A misdemeanor

2nd or subsequent conviction: Class E felony

(a) An owner may not leave a dog outside and unattended by use of a restraint unless the owner provides the dog access to:

(1) adequate shelter;

(2) an area that allows the dog to avoid standing water and exposure to excessive animal waste;

(3) shade from direct sunlight; and

(4) potable water.

(b) An owner may not restrain a dog outside and unattended by use of a restraint that:

(1) is a chain;

(2) has weights attached;

(3) is shorter in length than the greater of:

(A) five times the length of the dog, as measured from the tip of the dog's nose to the base of the dog's tail; or

(B) 10 feet; or

(4) is attached to a collar or harness not properly fitted..

Class C misdemeanor

Class B misdemeanor if previously convicted

The restraint of each dog that is in violation is a separate offense

Under 13 V.S.A. § 353, cruelty to animals under section 352 of this title is punishable by a sentence of imprisonment of not more than one year or a fine of not more than $2,000.00, or both.

Second and subsequent convictions are punishable by a sentence of imprisonment of not more than two years or a fine of not more than $5,000.00, or both.

Va. Code Ann. § § 3.2-6500

Va. Code Ann. § 3.2-6503

Each owner shall provide for each of his companion animals:

Adequate space in the primary enclosure for the particular type of animal depending upon its age, size, species, and weight.

Va. Code Ann. § 3.2-6503

When an animal is tethered, “adequate space” means that the tether to which the animal is attached permits the above actions and is appropriate to the age and size of the animal; is attached to the animal by a properly applied collar, halter, or harness that is configured so as to protect the animal from injury and prevent the animal or tether from becoming entangled with other objects or animals, or from extending over an object or edge that could result in the strangulation or injury of the animal; is at least 15 feet in length or four times the length of the animal, as measured from the tip of its nose to the base of its tail, whichever is greater, except when the animal is being walked on a leash or is attached by a tether to a lead line or when an animal control officer, having inspected an animal's individual circumstances, has determined that in such an individual case, a tether of at least 10 feet or three times the length of the animal, but shorter than 15 feet or four times the length of the animal, makes the animal more safe, more suited, and better equipped to tolerate its environment than a longer tether; does not, by its material, size, or weight or any other characteristic, cause injury or pain to the animal; does not weigh more than one-tenth of the animal's body weight; and does not have weights or other heavy objects attached to it.

“Primary enclosure” means any structure used to immediately restrict an animal or animals to a limited amount of space, such as a room, pen, cage, compartment, or hutch. For tethered animals, the term includes the shelter and the area within reach of the tether.

Va. Code Ann. § 3.2-6500

Class 4 misdemeanor

A second or subsequent violation is a Class 3 misdemeanor.

Any dog that is restrained outside by a tether must only be restrained for a period of time that is not reckless and in compliance with this section.

The dog must not be tethered in the following ways:

• in a manner that results, or could reasonably result, in the dog becoming frequently entangled on the restraint or another object;
• if multiple dogs tethered, each dog must be on a separate tether and not secured to the same fixed point;
• where the tether does not allow the dog to sit, lie down, and stand comfortably without the restraint becoming taut and allow the dog a range of movement;
• when it is ill, suffering from a debilitating disease, injured, in distress, in the advanced stages of pregnancy, or under six months of age;
• without access to clean water and necessary shelter that is safe and protective while tethered;
• in a manner that results in the dog being left in unsafe or unsanitary conditions or that forces the dog to stand, sit, or lie down in its own excrement or urine;
• with a choke, pinch, slip, halter, or prong-type collar, or by any means other than with a properly fitted buckle-type collar or harness that provides enough room between the collar or harness and the dog's throat to allow normal breathing and swallowing;
• where the weight of the tether shall not unreasonably inhibit the free movement of the dog within the area allowed by the length of the tether;
• in a manner that causes the dog injury or pain.

First offense shall result in a correction warning being issued requiring the offense to be corrected by the person who owns, keeps, or controls the dog within 7 days after the date of the warning being issued in lieu of an infraction

A second offense is a class 2 civil infraction

A third or subsequent offense is a class 1 civil infraction