As of April 2025, Tennessee does not have a comprehensive statewide law that outright bans leaving pets chained or tethered outside in all circumstances. However, there are important restrictions and proposed legislation you should know about:
- Proposed State Legislation: A bill (H.B.2860) was introduced to make it illegal to leave dogs chained outside during severe weather (such as flooding or tornado warnings, or during evacuations). If passed, violating this law would be a class-C misdemeanor, punishable by up to a month in jail and a $50 fine. However, unless this bill has become law, these specific statewide restrictions may not yet be in effect.
Local Ordinances
Many Tennessee cities and counties have their own tethering and chaining laws. Here are examples from several municipalities:
Red Bank
- Illegal to tether a dog to a stationary object for more than 30 minutes without supervision, or in a way that creates an unhealthy or dangerous situation for the animal or others.
- Specific restrictions include: not tethering between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., not using heavy tethers, ensuring access to food, water, and shelter, and not using choke or prong collars for tethering.
Nashville
- Tethering is permitted only if certain conditions are met: the tether must not be too heavy, must be at least 15 feet long, chains are prohibited, and the animal must have access to water, shelter, and dry ground.
- Dogs cannot be tethered during extreme weather (heat index over 95°F, freezing, storms, etc.), and must be at least six months old and healthy.
Chattanooga
- Unlawful to tether a dog for more than a reasonable period or in a way that creates an unhealthy or dangerous situation.
- Restrictions include not tethering overnight (10 p.m. to 6 a.m.), not using excessively heavy tethers, and ensuring access to necessities.
Crossville
- Tethering is only allowed with a spiral tie-out stake or a permanently affixed anchor that allows 360-degree movement. Running lines or trolleys must be at least 15 feet long and positioned properly.
General Animal Cruelty Laws
- Tethering or chaining a dog in a way that endangers its health, safety, or well-being can be prosecuted under state animal cruelty statutes, even if not specifically addressed as “tethering”.
Summary Table: Tethering Laws in Tennessee
| Area | Tethering Ban | Key Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Statewide | No full ban | Proposed ban during severe weather/disasters; cruelty laws may apply |
| Red Bank | Yes (30 min) | No unsupervised tethering over 30 min; many specific requirements |
| Nashville | Conditional | Must meet length, weight, weather, and care standards; chains prohibited |
| Chattanooga | Conditional | “Reasonable period” only; no overnight; must meet care and safety requirements |
| Crossville | Conditional | Only with certain anchors/running lines; must allow movement |
- It is not universally illegal to leave your pet chained outside in Tennessee, but many cities have strict local ordinances limiting or banning the practice.
- Tethering during severe weather or in a manner that endangers the animal is or may soon be illegal statewide.
- Always check your local city or county ordinances for specific rules, as they may be much stricter than state law. Violating these laws can result in fines, criminal charges, or animal cruelty prosecution.
Sources
- https://www.peta.org/issues/animal-companion-issues/ordinances/tennessee/red-bank-tennessee/
- https://www.peta.org/issues/animal-companion-issues/ordinances/nashville-tennessee/
- https://www.animallaw.info/topic/table-state-dog-tether-laws
- https://crossvillenews1st.com/tn-law-would-make-it-illegal-to-leave-dogs-chained-outside-in-severe-weather/
- https://www.peta.org/issues/animal-companion-issues/ordinances/tennessee/chattanooga-tennessee/