While New York does not have a statewide ban on tethering or chaining dogs, there are regulations in place to protect tethered dogs from harm. Violations can lead to animal cruelty charges. Additionally, many localities have stricter tethering laws than the state.Here’s a breakdown of the laws:
State Laws:
- Legality: Tethering or chaining a dog is legal in New York, but with restrictions.
- Regulations: New York has regulations intended to protect tethered dogs. Breaking these tethering laws is illegal and could result in animal cruelty charges in severe cases.
- Time Restrictions: New York’s tethering laws also restrict tethering between certain hours, mainly to prevent disturbances or noise complaints.
- Local Ordinances: Some counties in New York have stricter tethering laws than the state itself, so it’s important to research your specific area’s ordinances before you tether.
New York City Laws:
- Time Limit: In New York City, you cannot tether, leash, fasten, secure, restrain, chain, or tie an animal to a stationary object outdoors for longer than three continuous hours in any continuous twelve-hour period.
- Animal Care: If tethering is permissible, the animal must be provided with adequate food, water, and shelter. The restraining device must have swivels at both ends and be of adequate length for the animal’s size. However, the requirement to provide adequate food, water and shelter does not apply to a person who restrains an animal while completing a task for a period of time that is fifteen minutes or less in duration.
- Prohibited Devices: Regardless of the time, you cannot tether an animal with a choke collar or pinch collar; a device with weights attached or links more than one-quarter inch thick; a device likely to become entangled; a device long enough to allow the animal to leave its owner’s property; or a device that would allow the restrained animal to move over an object or edge that could result in strangulation or injury.
- Penalties: Violations can result in a written warning for the first offense if the animal was not injured. Subsequent offenses within a 12-month period can lead to a class B misdemeanor, punishable by a fine up to $500, imprisonment up to three months, or both. There is also a civil penalty of no less than $250 and no more than $500.
Other Considerations:
- Cruel Tethering: Even where tethering is legal, it should not cause the dog to become neurotic, unhappy, anxious, or aggressive. Dogs may suffer from irregular feedings, overturned water bowls, inadequate veterinary care, and extreme temperatures with no access to decent shelter or protection.
- Efforts to Ban Chaining: There have been efforts to implement a statewide ban on chaining dogs outside in New York.
It’s essential to be aware of both state and local laws regarding dog tethering in New York to ensure compliance and the well-being of your pet.
Sources:
- https://dogtime.com/reference/106614-new-york-dog-animal-cruelty-law-dog-chain
- https://www.peta.org/issues/animal-companion-issues/ordinances/tethering-new-york-city-new-york/
- https://www.animallaw.info/topic/table-state-dog-tether-laws
- https://www.raphaelsonlaw.com/legal-insights/new-york-state-dog-laws-every-dog-owner-know
