In New York state where frigid temperatures also mean suffering for chained dogs, there is a new law in NYC and a state bill pending that could help change that. 

On Feb. 1, 2011 New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed into law Sec. 17-797 (Intro 425) which prohibits anyone from restraining, or causing to be restrained, an animal to a stationary object for more than 3 continuous hours in a continuous 12 hour period. The law does not prohibit unlimited tethering or chaining to a running line or cable trolley system.

The new law also places restrictions on tethering or chaining dogs during the 3 hour period:   There must be (1) adequate food, water and shelter unless the animal is tied for 15 minutes or less, (2) a device having swivels at both ends that is of an adequate length for the type and size of animal being restrained, (3) no choke or pinch collars, and (4) no weights attached or with links that are more than one-quarter inch thick.

Also, the animal must be tied so that it is not likely the animal would become entangled. The tie must be short enough to prevent the animal from moving outside of its owner's property; but that allows the restrained animal to move over an object or edge that could otherwise result in strangulation or injury.

Violators are subject to a $250 fine for the first offense but only a warning if the animal was not injured. A subsequent offense within a "continuous twelve month period" would be a Class B misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $500 and prison   up to 3 months. Any violator must pay a civil penalty anywhere from $250 to $500.  

State tethering restrictions have been proposed in S.B. 1239 by Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo.  

This bill would limit chaining of dogs, including use of a running cable or trolley, to no more than 6 hours a day.

The bill also requires any tether attached to a fixed point to be at least 15 feet long. A tether attached to a running line or cable trolley must be at least 10 feet long. The tether must be attached to prevent injury or strangulation or entanglement with other objects. There have been incidents, for example, of dogs climbing a fence while chained and hanging themselves.  The bill would ban the use of choke type or prong collars for chaining and require any tether or chain to be attached to a properly fitted collar, harness or like device made for that purpose.

Violators would be subject to a $50-$100 fine for a first offense and a $100-$250 fine for a subsequent offense. Each day of a violation would be a separate offense. The fines could be reduced upon a showing of expenses incurred by the owner to install a running cable trolley system that complies with the law. 

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Find Senate Agriculture Committee members here and write (faxes or letters are best) or call each one and urge them to vote yes to SB 1239 to restrict cruel chaining and save the lives of dogs chained continually right now in freezing weather.

Go here to find your New York state senator and urge him or her to support restrictions on chaining dogs, SB 1239.

Other State Laws on Chaining/Tethering Dogs

In 2009 Nevada joined 12 other states in placing restrictions on tethering or chaining: California (Health & Safety Code Sec. 122335), Texas (Tex. Health & Safety Code Sec. 821.077), Connecticut, (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 22-350a)(updated and improved in 2010), Tennessee (Tenn. Code §39-14-202), Delaware (7 Del. C. § 1704), Maryland, (Md. CRIMINAL LAW Code §10-623), Michigan (Mi. Comp. Laws § 750.50), Vermont (13 V.S.A. § 365), Maine (M.R.S. § 4015), North Carolina (N.C. Gen. Stat. §14-362.3); Virginia (Va. Code §3.2-6500) and West Virginia (W. Va. Code § 61-8-19(a)(1)(H)).

Nevada, California and Texas limit the number of hours dogs can be chained each day.

Also, in 2009 Hawaii passed a measure that placed a few restrictions on chaining. In 2010 Connecticut improved its anti-chaining law while Louisiana passed a law to restrict chaining. Neither new law limits the number of hours a dog can be chained each day.

Why Chaining/Tethering of Dogs Should be Banned or Restricted

Chained dogs tend to be neglected and can be dangerous, straining animal control resources and endangering the community.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and United States Dept of Agriculture (USDA) also oppose chaining dogs.

The Center for Disease Control has said chained dogs are 2.8 times more likely to bite adults. Chained dogs are nearly 5 times more likely to bite children. The National Canine Research Council reports that almost 30% of all fatal dog attacks involve chained or penned dogs. The ASPCA reports 81% of fatal dog attacks involve dogs that are isolated. Go here for more information.

Nicholas Dodman, DVM, Professor, Tufts University, says, "Chaining dogs makes them more aggressive.  They are natural social animals and [chaining] induces 'isolation-induced aggression' and creates a 'junkyard' dog effect.  They basically go mad."