In Massachusetts, it is not automatically illegal to leave your dog chained outside, but the state’s tethering law places strict limits on how long, when, and under what conditions a dog can be chained. Violating these rules can lead to fines and even loss of ownership in some cases.
State law on chaining and tethering
Under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 140, Section 174E:
- No one may chain or tether a dog for more than 5 hours in any 24‑hour period, and not at all between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., unless the tethering lasts no more than 15 minutes and the dog is not left unattended.
- The tether must be dog‑specific (no logging chains or unsuitable hardware), and must not weigh more than 1/8 the dog’s body weight.
- Puppies under 6 months may not be tethered outside at all.
Rules for trolley systems and setups
…