Virginia law prohibits leaving dogs chained or tethered outside during extreme temperatures and severe weather.
Specifically, it is illegal to tether a dog outdoors when the temperature is 32°F (0°C) or below, or 85°F (29°C) or above. The law also bans tethering during heat advisories, severe weather warnings, hurricanes, and tropical storms.
Additional Requirements for Tethering
Even when the weather is not extreme, Virginia has detailed regulations for tethering:
- Adequate shelter, food, and water must always be provided.
- Tethers must be at least 15 feet long or four times the length of the animal, whichever is greater. Exceptions can be made by animal control for safety, but the tether must still be at least 10 feet or three times the animal’s length.
- Animals must be safe from predators and well-suited to tolerate their environment.
Animal Cruelty and Neglect
Leaving a dog chained for long periods without proper care, or during prohibited weather, can result in animal cruelty charges. Penalties may include fines, jail time, and restrictions on future pet ownership. In severe cases, it can be a Class 1 misdemeanor, the most serious misdemeanor charge in Virginia.
Key Takeaways
- Illegal to chain dogs outside in Virginia during freezing (≤32°F), hot (≥85°F), or severe weather.
- Dogs must always have adequate shelter, food, water, and a safe, humane tethering setup.
- Violations can result in criminal charges and serious penalties.
If you see a dog left chained outside in violation of these laws, you are encouraged to report it to local animal control or law enforcement authorities.
Sources:
- https://www.peta.org/media/news-releases/urgent-from-peta-its-illegal-in-virginia-to-leave-dogs-tethered-out-in-the-cold/
- https://pwspca.org/tethering/
- https://woundedpawproject.org/animal-abuse/animal-cruelty-laws-virginia/
- https://www.peta.org/features/new-anti-tethering-law-dogs-in-virginia/