In Utah, tethering or chaining a dog is not outright illegal, but there are clear regulations designed to protect animal welfare. According to state law (Utah Code 76-9-301), it is illegal to:
- Tether a dog for more than 10 hours in a 24-hour period.
- Tether a dog in a way that causes harm or injury to the animal.
Violating these rules can result in animal cruelty charges, especially if the tethering leads to harm or distress for the pet.
Local Ordinances
Many Utah cities have their own, often stricter, rules regarding how and when you can tether a dog outside:
- Salt Lake City: It is unlawful to tether a dog for more than one hour during any eight-hour period. The tether must be long enough to allow access to food, water, and shelter, and must not endanger or injure the animal.
- Ogden: Tethering is allowed only if specific humane conditions are met (e.g., proper collar, no tangles, minimum age, not sick or injured, and a maximum of 10 hours in a 24-hour period).
- South Salt Lake: It is unlawful to tether an animal outside for more than six consecutive hours, and never more than ten consecutive hours per day, with requirements for adequate food, water, and shelter.
Key Requirements for Legal Tethering
- The tether must not cause harm or injury.
- The dog must have access to food, water, and shelter at all times.
- The tether must be of appropriate length and material, and not weigh more than one-eighth of the dog’s weight (in some cities).
- The dog must not be sick or injured while tethered.
Table: Utah Tethering Laws
| Jurisdiction | Max. Tether Time | Key Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Statewide | 10 hours/24 hours | No harm, adequate care, proper tether |
| Salt Lake City | 1 hour/8 hours | Sufficient length, food, water, shelter |
| Ogden | 10 hours/24 hours | Humane collar, no tangles, healthy dog |
| South Salt Lake | 6 hours (consecutive), 10 hours/day | Adequate food, water, shelter |
It is not illegal to leave your pet chained outside in Utah, but you must follow both state and local laws regarding tethering duration and conditions. Tethering that causes harm or exceeds legal time limits can result in fines or animal cruelty charges. Always check your city or county ordinances for additional restrictions.
Sources
[1] https://le.utah.gov/~2013/bills/sbillint/SB0092.htm
[2] https://www.peta.org/issues/animal-companion-issues/ordinances/ogden-utah/
[3] https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/saltlakecityut/latest/saltlakecity_ut/0-0-0-49709
[4] https://www.peta.org/issues/animal-companion-issues/ordinances/south-salt-lake-utah/
[5] https://dogtime.com/reference/106758-utah-dog-laws-2023-rabies-dog-bites-dog-cruelty-and-dog-chains