Progress! New Texas Law Will Make it Illegal to Chain Dogs Outside

Jan 7

The “Safe Outdoor Dogs” Act, aimed at protecting our canine companions, will go into effect on 18 January.

Lawmakers have signed a bill that will soon make it illegal for people to chain their dogs outside in the state of Texas.

Under the new law, people cannot use chain or weighted-down restraints to tether their dogs outside. When using an outdoor restraint, it must be ten feet long or five times the dog’s length. They must also provide "adequate" shelter, shade from direct sunlight, drinkable water, and proper protection from "inclement weather."

Law enforcement officers will also have the power to act quickly when they find an animal in distress - the previous rules prevented intervention for 24 hours.

“It’s actually great news for pets and everybody,” said Jennifer Young the Executive Director for Aggieland Humane Society. “Our mission is to promote responsible pet ownership and the humane treatment of animals everywhere so were excited to see this”.

The Senate Bill 5, known as the “Safe Outdoor Dogs” Act was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on Monday and will go into effect on January 18, 2022.

Violators of the new law will face a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500, with repeat offenders facing a Class B misdemeanor and a fine of up to $2000.

There are, however, some exceptions to the law. For example, it does not apply if people are walking with their companion animals, camping, hunting, shepherding livestock, and cultivating agricultural products. Dogs may also be tied in open-air trucks circumstantially.

Shelby Bobosky, executive director of the Texas Humane Legislation Network, an organization that has been working to update Texas’ Health and Safety Code since 2015, told The Texas Tribune that last winter’s devastating winter storm displayed the need for “some basic standards in place for dogs who permanently live outside.”

Why the Law is Needed

According to the Humane Society of the United States, intensive confinement or long-term restraint can severely damage the psychological well-being of dogs. It can cause an otherwise friendly dog to become neurotic, unhappy, anxious, and often aggressive.

As we all the psychological suffering caused by tethering, dogs also commonly experience physical injuries. Their neck can be rubbed raw by their collars and they are vulnerable to insect bites and parasites.

What’s more, tethering can often be synonymous with neglectful care. Dogs may suffer from irregular feedings, overturned water bowls, inadequate veterinary care, and extreme temperatures with no access to decent shelter or protection. People who chain their dogs are also less likely to clean the area of confinement, meaning the dogs are forced to eat and sleep in an area contaminated with urine and feces.

The U.S. States Yet to Outlaw the Practice of Chaining or Tethering Dogs Outside:

Source: Animal Legal & Historical Center

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
Colorado
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
New Hampshire
New Mexico
New York
North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma
South Carolina South Dakota
Utah
Wisconsin
Wyoming

New York is one of 27 states where people are allowed to keep their dog companions tied up outside full-time with no legal protections in place to safeguard man’s best friend. Take action to change this by signing our petition.

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