In Tennessee, the legality of leaving pets chained outside varies depending on the specific circumstances and local ordinances. Here’s a breakdown of the current laws and proposals:
Statewide Legislation
- Proposed Legislation: A bill, H.B.2860, was introduced in 2022 to make it illegal for pet owners to leave their dogs chained outside during severe weather conditions, such as natural disasters or evacuation orders. Violations would be punishable as a Class C misdemeanor, with penalties including up to a month in jail and a $50 fine.
- Existing Law: It is already a crime under Tennessee state law to knowingly tie, tether, or restrain a dog in a manner that results in the dog suffering bodily injury. However, there is no comprehensive statewide law specifically banning the chaining of pets outside under all circumstances.
Local Ordinances
- Nashville: In Nashville, chaining is prohibited as a tethering device. Animals cannot be tethered outside during extreme weather conditions, such as heat indexes above 95°F, freezing temperatures, thunderstorms, or tornadoes. Tethers must meet specific conditions, including being at least 15 feet long and not unreasonably heavy for the animal.
- Red Bank: In Red Bank, it is unlawful to tether a dog for more than 30 minutes without supervision or in a manner that creates an unhealthy or dangerous situation. Tethering must be done safely, with restrictions on the type of tether used and the conditions under which it is used.
- Chattanooga: In Chattanooga, tethering a dog for more than a reasonable period or in an unhealthy or dangerous location is prohibited. The determination of what constitutes an unhealthy or dangerous situation is made by an Animal Services Officer.
While there is no statewide ban on chaining pets outside under all circumstances, specific conditions and local ordinances can make it illegal.
Proposed legislation aims to address chaining during severe weather, but these bills have not yet been enacted into law. Local ordinances provide additional protections in cities like Nashville, Red Bank, and Chattanooga.
SOURCES:-
[1] https://crossvillenews1st.com/tn-law-would-make-it-illegal-to-leave-dogs-chained-outside-in-severe-weather/
[2] http://www.adoptwcac.org/DocumentCenter/View/794/Rules-Regulations
[3] https://www.peta.org/issues/animal-companion-issues/ordinances/nashville-tennessee/
[4] https://www.peta.org/issues/animal-companion-issues/ordinances/tennessee/red-bank-tennessee/
[5] https://www.animallaw.info/topic/table-state-dog-tether-laws
