Leaving your pet—especially a dog—chained or tethered outside in New Jersey is subject to strict legal regulations designed to protect animal welfare. As of 2025, here’s what you need to know about the law:
General Prohibition and Key Restrictions
- It is illegal to leave your dog chained or tethered outside in New Jersey in a cruel or unsafe manner. State law specifically prohibits leaving a dog chained up outside unattended for more than 30 minutes in harsh weather conditions, including freezing temperatures (32°F or below), excessive heat (90°F or above), rain, or snow.
- Proper shelter is required if your pet is outside. This shelter must be soundly built, in good repair, provide adequate ventilation, water, light, and space, and be insulated and dry during cold or inclement weather.
Specific Tethering Restrictions
According to New Jersey law, it is unlawful to cruelly restrain a dog by tethering in the following ways:
- Nursing females or puppies under four months old may not be tethered outside.
- Tethering is prohibited outdoors between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. (unless the owner or caretaker is present and able to see the animal at all times).
- Dogs must have continuous access to sanitary, non-frozen water if tethered for more than 30 minutes.
- Tethering in adverse environmental conditions (freezing, excessive heat, rain, or snow) for more than 30 minutes is illegal.
- Tethers must be at least 15 feet long and must not pose a risk of entanglement, strangulation, or other harm.
- Choke collars, prong collars, or head harnesses cannot be used for tethering; only a properly fitted body harness or buckle-type collar is allowed.
- Tethering more than one dog to the same tether, or using heavy chains, is prohibited.
Penalties for Violations
- First offense: Fine of $100 (at the court’s discretion).
- Second offense: Fine of $200 (at the court’s discretion).
- Third or subsequent offenses: Treated as failure to provide necessary care, which can result in higher fines, potential jail time, community service, restitution, and possible removal of the animal.
Cats and Other Pets
While much of the law is written with dogs in mind, the prohibition against exposing any pet to harsh weather conditions applies to cats and other animals as well.
It is illegal in New Jersey to leave your pet chained or tethered outside in harsh weather, for extended periods, or in a manner that endangers their health and safety. Violations can result in fines, criminal charges, and the loss of your pet. Always provide adequate shelter, water, and supervision if your pet must be outdoors.
Sources:
- https://catcountry1073.com/its-illegal-to-leave-your-dog-chained-outside-in-new-jersey/
- https://njsbf.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Animal-Law.pdf
- https://www.apainc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/New-Jersey-Update_4-21-1.pdf
- https://www.montclairnjusa.org/Government/Departments/Animal-Control/NJ-Anti-cruelty-Provisions
- https://ucnj.org/prosecutor/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2018/09/NJs-Tethering-Restriction-and-Proper-Outdoor-Shelter-Law.pdf