In West Virginia, tethering or chaining a dog is not outright illegal statewide, but there are important restrictions and anti-cruelty provisions you must follow. The state law makes it unlawful to “intentionally, knowingly or recklessly cruelly chain or tether an animal.” Violating this can result in a misdemeanor charge.
Key statewide requirements:
- Dogs must have access to food, water, and shelter while tethered.
- Tethering that causes injury, suffering, or endangers the animal’s health is considered animal cruelty and is illegal.
- The law does not provide detailed statewide standards for how long or under what conditions a dog may be tethered, but “cruel” chaining is prohibited and subject to prosecution.
Local Ordinances
Many cities and counties in West Virginia have stricter local ordinances that set specific rules for tethering dogs. These often include time limits, equipment requirements, and weather-related restrictions.
Examples of Local Tethering Laws:
- Charleston:
- Dogs may not be tethered for more than two continuous hours (or one hour in extreme temperatures).
- Tethering can only resume after a three-hour break, and no more than five tethering periods in 24 hours.
- Tethers must be attached to a proper collar or harness, be at least 10 feet long, and weigh no more than 1/8 of the dog’s body weight.
- Tethering that causes injury, entanglement, or strangulation is prohibited.
- Kanawha County & Marmet:
- Tethering is only allowed for the time needed to complete a temporary task, with the owner present and the dog visible.
- Tether must be at least 10 feet long, attached to a non-choke collar or harness, and not weigh more than 1/8 of the dog’s weight.
- No tethering during extreme weather, for dogs under six months, or for sick/injured dogs.
- Morgantown:
- Prohibits “cruel” tethering, such as chaining a dog outdoors between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., or exposing the dog to adverse weather for more than 30 minutes.
- Tethering nursing females or puppies under six months is not allowed.
Penalties
Violating tethering or anti-cruelty laws can result in:
- Misdemeanor charges
- Fines
- Potential removal of the animal in severe cases.
Table
| Location | Is Tethering Legal? | Key Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Statewide | Yes (not cruelly) | Must not cause injury, must provide food, water, shelter |
| Charleston | Yes, with strict limits | Max 2 hrs (1 hr in extremes), equipment, weather rules |
| Kanawha/Marmet | Yes, for brief periods | Owner present, equipment, no extremes, age/health rules |
| Morgantown | Yes, not “cruelly” | No overnight, no extremes, no young/sick/nursing dogs |
It is not illegal to tether or chain your pet outside in West Virginia, but it is illegal to do so in a cruel or dangerous manner. Many localities have additional rules, so always check your city or county ordinances. Regardless of location, you must provide proper care, avoid extreme weather, and ensure the tether does not harm your pet.
Sources
[1] https://www.peta.org/issues/animal-companion-issues/ordinances/west-virginia/charleston-west-virginia/
[2] https://dogtime.com/reference/106761-west-virginia-dog-laws-2023-rabies-dog-bites-dog-cruelty-and-dog-chains
[3] https://fohowv.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Kanawha-final-tethering-ordinance.pdf
[4] https://www.animallaw.info/topic/table-state-dog-tether-laws
[5] https://www.peta.org/issues/animal-companion-issues/ordinances/west-virginia/morgantown-west-virginia/