Leaving Your Pet Chained Outside in Michigan: Is It Illegal? It isn’t always legal to tether a pet outside, and each state has different laws about it.
In Michigan, there are certain regulations on how to tie pets, especially dogs, to ensure their health and safety. This is what the law in Michigan says about leaving your pet outside on a chain.
Tethering Laws in Michigan
It is perfectly legal in Michigan to tie your dog, but there are limits on how and when you can do it to protect pets from being abused or neglected.
Animal cruelty is against the law in Michigan if a dog owner leaves their dog or any other animal tied in a way that hurts or puts the animal through pain. Some important parts of the law are these:
Setting Time Limits: Dogs cannot be tied for too long. There aren’t any laws regarding Michigan that state specifically how many hours a dog can be tethered outside, but some cities and towns within Michigan have enacted stricter standards that declare a dog cannot be tethered outside for more hours than any specified number of hours every 24 hours.
Tether Length: How far apart the dog can be is determined by how much length the tether has. The tether must be long enough for the dog to turn around with comfort while still attached. According to Michigan law, it must be at least 10 feet long or three times the dog’s body length from the tip of its nose to the base of its tail.
The tether should be attached to a collar or chain that fits the dog well and doesn’t cause harm to it or the dog so that it is unable to breathe or move.
cover: Michigan state law prohibits leaving a dog chained outside in the heat, cold, rain, snow, or wind without proper cover.
There should be appropriate covering shelter for dogs that offers protection from harsh weather and dogs can stand, turn, and lie down without difficulties within the shelter.
Animal Cruelty Laws
Michigan has strict rules against animal cruelty that ensure pets are treated well. Individuals who keep their dogs tethered outdoors in harsh situations, such as weather, and without food, water, or shelter, could be punished under the law.
It further states that under Michigan’s MCL 750.50, failing to tether your animals correctly can lead to up to 93 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, or 30 hours of community service.
But this goes higher for repeat offenders or for more severe convictions: felony charges can reach up to 4 years in jail.
Local Ordinances and Enforcement
There are some general laws in Michigan relating to tethering and animal abuse, while many cities and counties have additional, more specific rules. A good example would be:
Detroit: In Detroit, dogs cannot be tied outside for longer than three hours in any given 24-hour period of time. Additionally, the leash must be at least 10 feet long, which is considered three times the length of the dog.
Lansing: Like the state rule, Lansing’s ordinances limit how long you can tie up and require a tether length of at least 10 feet.
Pet owners should also check the area laws to see if they are complying with any rules beyond the state laws.
Winter and Summer Considerations
Although Michigan experiences really bad weather both in summer and winter, the law knows that leaving a pet chained outside when it is bad outside will be quite a bit dangerous.
In winter, dogs get frostbite or hypothermia. In summer, dogs get heatstroke or feel thirsty.
If a pet is left outside in Michigan during these harsh weather conditions, the owner could be charged with animal mistreatment if the pet does not have access to a safe place to stay.
How to Report Animal Cruelty
You can report a dog to animal control or the police if you think it is being tethered incorrectly or is in danger because of neglect or abuse.
When animals are hurt by people in Michigan, the Michigan Humane Society and police from the area take care of the cases. Be prepared to give information like where the pet is, what its health is, and if there are any obvious signs of distress.
Conclusion
Leaving a pet outdoors tied by chain is not unlawful in Michigan, but lots of rules govern so as to ensure the pet is safe and healthy.
Pet owners must provide a safe place for his dogs, and the leash must be adequate in length, not leaving their dogs tied for long periods.
If you break these rules, you can face serious legal consequences by possibly having to pay fines, going to jail, or even animal cruelty charges.
Check your local laws to see if there are other rules. Since it is both the law and right thing to do, always put your pet’s health and safety first.
