Is It Illegal to Leave Your Pet Chained Outside in Illinois? Here’s What the Law Says

• Condition: The dog must not have any known condition that could be worsened by tethering.
• Entanglement: The dog must be tethered in a way that prevents it from getting tangled with other tethered dogs.
• Leash Weight and Type: The tether must not weigh more than one-eighth of the dog’s body weight and cannot be a tow chain or log chain.
• Leash Length: The tether must be at least 10 feet long when rounded to the nearest whole foot.
• Collar/Harness: The dog must be tethered with a properly fitting harness or collar, not a pinch, prong, or choke-type collar.
• Location: The tether must not allow the dog to reach another person’s property, a public walkway, or a road.

Additional Requirements

Illinois law also states that each owner shall provide their animals with:

• Sufficient good quality, wholesome food and water.
• Adequate shelter and protection from the weather.
• Veterinary care when needed to prevent suffering.
• Humane care and treatment.

Exceptions

The tethering restrictions do not apply in certain situations:

• Walking a dog with a hand-held leash.
• Activities related to cultivating agricultural products, like herding livestock, if restraint is needed for the dog’s safety.
• Tethering a dog during organized and lawful animal functions such as hunting, obedience training, or law enforcement training.
• Restraining a dog in compliance with the requirements of a camping or recreational area.

Penalties

Violations of these tethering and animal care provisions can result in a Class B misdemeanor. Subsequent violations can lead to a Class 4 felony, with each day of the violation counting as a separate offense. In addition to other penalties, a court may order a convicted person to undergo psychological or psychiatric evaluation and treatment at their own expense.