Less Time Spent on Chains for Man’s Best Friend

Animal protection measure bans the long-term chaining of dogs in
state
Morgan Hill – In two weeks, animal control and other law enforcement officers will be on the lookout for dogs chained up for extended periods of time.

They also will charge their owners with a misdemeanor that could land them in jail for up to six months with a fine as high as $1,000.

Senate Bill 1578, known as the “anti-chaining” bill, goes into effect Jan. 1. The bill prohibits a person from tethering, fastening, chaining, tying or restraining a dog to a tree, dog house, fence or other stationary object for more than three hours.

California has become the second state in the country to address dog chaining. Connecticut passed a law in 2003 which banned dog chaining for an “unreasonable period” of time. 

“This is just another way law enforcement groups can enforce when people are abusing their animals,” said veterinarian Pete Keesling, with the San Martin Veterinary Hospital.

Keesling said that unfortunately, there are some animals that need to be restrained, but there are ways to do that which are more humane. The new law recognizes those exceptions, which include chaining a dog on a running line, pulley or trolley system, but not in connection with a choke or pinch collar.

The law also allows owners to tether dogs at parks and recreation areas, during activities licensed by the state that involve the use of a dog and during agricultural operations for safety reasons.

“As long as the dog is able to run, and there is accessible adequate housing, shade, adequate water, and so forth, that’s fine; some dogs are unfortunately just darn good escape artists, and if you don’t do that, they’re going to get loose,” Keesling said.

Morgan Hill police Cmdr. David Swing said the law will give Animal Control Officer Daniel Pina an additional tool for enforcement.

“For example, in an animal cruelty situation, perhaps there’s not quite enough there for the DA to file an animal cruelty charge, this gives him another avenue,” Swing said. “As an animal owner, perhaps it is a bit of a wake-up call, something that will make people re-examine their own arrangements with their pets.”