Break the Chain: Don’t Tether Your Dog

• A healthier you! Studies have shown that dogs can reduce stress and help their people have better physical and mental health.
• A longer life for them! Dogs kept inside the home generally live longer than dogs kept outside.
• A protected home! A dog kept indoors is a strong deterrent for thieves trying to break-in. A chained dog kept outside can’t protect your whole property.

City of Phoenix law states that an owner shall not restrain a dog outside by use of a restraint that unreasonably limits the dog’s movement or during extreme weather conditions, including when the temperature is above 100 degrees (or below 32 degrees), a heat advisory has been issued or monsoon, hurricane, tropical-storm, dust-storm or tornado warning has been issued . A restraint unreasonably limits a dog’s movement if the restraint:

• Uses a collar that is not properly fitted to the dog
• Is in length shorter than 10 feet
• Causes injury to the dog
• Does not permit the dog access to food, water, shade, dry ground, or shelter.Adequate shelter is defined as:
  • Structurally sound and accessible year-round to protect the animal from extreme weather conditions.
  • Sufficient in size to allow animals to enter, stand, turn around and lie down while also having adequate ventilation and drainage.
• Chains are not permitted as a tethering mechanism

Other local tethering ordinances include:

• Glendale prohibits tethering for the purpose of animal confinement, regardless of weather conditions.
• Tempe prohibits tethering when the temperature is below 45 degrees or above 85 degrees, and pets must be supervised by somebody physically at the property.
• Chandler prohibits the tethering of pets when the temperature is below 32 degrees or above 100 degrees or if a heat or extreme weather advisory has been issued.

We also recommend these additional safety guidelines:

• If you have no choice but to tether and it is legal to do so where you live, the dog should have a long tether and be free of obstacles that might get them tangled.
• Collars should be fitted properly.
• The water bowl should be secured so the dog cannot tip it over.
• Metal heats up! Both food and water should be in plastic, not metal, bowls.
• Dogs should not be left unsupervised for long periods of time.
• During excessive heat warnings, bring pets indoors.