Is it Illegal the law in Tennessee to leave your pet chained outside? What the Law Says Is This

Tennessee’s laws on tethering dogs outdoors involve a mix of statewide provisions and local ordinances, with restrictions varying significantly by jurisdiction. Here’s a breakdown of key legal requirements:

Statewide Restrictions

1. Prohibited Restraints:
   • Chains/tethers cannot exceed 1/8 of the dog’s body weight.
   • Tethers must be at least 10 feet long (or 5x the dog’s length) and use properly fitted collars/harnesses (no choke/prong collars).
   • Puppies under 6 months old cannot be tethered outdoors.
2. Shelter Requirements:
   • Dogs must have access to adequate shelter (weatherproof, insulated, and sized to the dog) and potable water.
3. Extreme Weather:
   • A failed 2023 bill sought to ban tethering during temperatures below 32°F or above 95°F and during weather advisories (e.g., tornadoes, floods). Currently, only Nashville enforces such restrictions.

Local Ordinances

• Nashville:
  • Prohibits tethering during extreme temperatures or advisories.
  • Unlawful to confine animals in a way that restricts movement.
• Red Bank:
  • No unsupervised tethering beyond 30 minutes; bans tethering between 10 p.m.–6 a.m.
• Chattanooga:
  • Limits tethering to a “reasonable period” and prohibits unsafe conditions (e.g., insect harassment, inadequate shelter).
• Oak Ridge:
  • Restricts fixed-point tethering to 8 hours per day.

Penalties

• Statewide: Violations can lead to Class C misdemeanors (up to 30 days jail + $50 fine) or Class B misdemeanors for repeat offenses.
• Local: Cities like Nashville issue citations for noncompliance.

Exceptions

• Temporary tasks (e.g., grooming, vet visits).
• Licensed activities (e.g., sledding, competitions).

Key Gaps

• No statewide ban on tethering during extreme weather, though pending bills aim to address this.
• Rural areas often lack specific tethering laws, relying on general anti-cruelty statutes.

For pet owners, compliance requires checking local ordinances and ensuring humane restraint practices. Advocacy groups continue pushing for stronger statewide protections.

Sources

1. https://www.peta.org/issues/animal-companion-issues/ordinances/tennessee/red-bank-tennessee/
2. https://www.peta.org/issues/animal-companion-issues/ordinances/tennessee/chattanooga-tennessee/
3. https://www.animallaw.info/topic/table-state-dog-tether-laws
4. https://www.foxweather.com/lifestyle/tennessee-dogs-cold-outside-law
5. https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/112/Bill/HB2034.pdf