In Maine, tethering or chaining a dog is permitted, but there are regulations in place to protect tethered dogs from harm. Breaking these tethering laws can result in animal cruelty charges in severe cases.
Tethering Regulations
- General Welfare: No person responsible for confining an animal may fail to provide it with proper shelter, protection from the weather, and humanely clean conditions. If weather conditions might adversely affect a dog’s health, adequate shelter must be provided.
- Specific Requirements: When tethering is the primary means of confinement, specific standards apply. The tether must be attached to both the dog and the anchor using swivels to prevent tangling. The chain or tether must be attached to a well-fitted collar or harness.
- Tether Length: For dogs other than sled dogs or those used in competition, the chain or tether must be at least five times the length of the dog, measured from nose to tail.
- Prohibited Conditions: It is unlawful to tether a dog in a manner that is inhumane or detrimental to its welfare. The tether must not cause pain or injury or entanglement that prevents the dog from reaching food, water, and shelter.
- Extreme Weather: It is unlawful to tether a dog outdoors during extreme weather conditions, such as unusually cold temperatures (except for arctic breeds), extreme heat, or when hurricane, tropical storm, winter storm, or wind chill warnings have been issued.
- Basic Necessities: A tethered dog must have constant access to potable, clean, and unfrozen water, as well as suitable, edible, and sufficient food to ensure its health. The collar must fit well so as not to impede the dog’s circulation or its ability to ingest food or water or to vocalize.
- Time Off Tether: A dog must be removed from the tether or chain for at least 3 consecutive hours daily. During this time, the dog may be confined only in a fenced yard that provides adequate space for exercise.
- Enforcement: A state veterinarian, humane agent, animal control officer, or law enforcement officer can issue a notice to comply or a correction warning for violations. If the violation endangers the dog’s health and safety, results in injury, or if a prior warning has been issued, further action will be taken under Maine law.
Additional Considerations
- Animal Abandonment: Maine law prohibits animal abandonment, which includes leaving a dog without food, water, or shelter. Abandonment is a Class D crime, punishable by up to 364 days of incarceration and a $2,000 fine.
- Animal Cruelty: Animal cruelty in Maine is also a Class D crime, with the same penalties as animal abandonment. Aggravated animal cruelty, which results in severe injury or death to the animal, is a Class C crime, punishable by up to 5 years of incarceration and/or a $5,000 fine.
- Prohibited Equipment: The law prohibits the use of choke collars and pinch collars on tethered dogs. Additionally, tethers must be designed for dogs, and logging chains or other devices not designed for tethering dogs are prohibited. No chain or tether can weigh more than ⅛ of the dog’s body weight, and dogs under 6 months old cannot be tethered outside for any length of time.
Sources:
[1] https://dogtime.com/reference/106612-maine-animal-cruelty-law-dog-chain
[2] https://www.maine.gov/dacf/ahw/animal_welfare/documents/2021-awp-lawbook.pdf
[3] https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/bills_123rd/billpdfs/HP086601.pdf
