Do You Chain Your Dog?

“Never tether or chain your dog because this can contribute to aggressive behavior.”  ~ Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)

Tethering Dogs is Inhumane and Illegal for extended periods of time in Pennsylvania.

In Pennsylvania, Act 10, which strengthens the state’s animal cruelty laws, states that a dog cannot be tethered for longer than 30 minutes in temperatures above 90 or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

Dogs are naturally social beings who thrive on interaction with human beings and other animals. In the wild, dogs and wolves live, eat, sleep, and hunt with a family of other canines. Dogs are genetically determined to live in a group.

A dog kept chained alone in one spot for hours, days, months, or even years suffers immense psychological damage. An otherwise friendly and docile dog, when kept continuously chained, becomes neurotic, unhappy, anxious, and often aggressive. In many cases, the necks of chained dogs become raw and covered with sores, the result of improperly fitted collars and the dogs’ constant yanking and straining to escape confinement. Some chained dogs have collars embedded in their necks, the result of years of neglect at the end of a chain. Chained dogs frequently become entangled in their chains, too, and unable to access food, water, and shelter.

Libres Law

The key components of the legislation include:

Improved tethering conditions for outside dogs
No more than 9 hours tethered in 24-hour period.
Tether must be the longer of 3 times length of dog or 10 feet.
No more than 30 minutes in 90+ or -32-degree weather.
Must have water and shade.
Must be secured by an appropriate collar — no tow or log chain, nor choke, pinch, prong, or chain collars.
Tethered space must be clear of excessive waste.
No open sores or wounds on the dog’s body.