Help Make it Illegal to Chain Dogs Outside in New York
Sign the Petition
Please join Species Unite in telling the New York State Senate to outlaw chaining dogs outside once and for all.
UPDATE 1/08/25: The New York State Assembly has reintroduced a bill to ban the cruel practice of chaining dogs outside. Assembly Bill A630 has been referred to the Agriculture Committee.
New York is one of 27 states where people are allowed to keep their dog companions tied up outside full-time, with no statewide legal protections in place to safeguard man’s best friend.
Although some cities and local jurisdictions have passed protection laws, the failure to protect dogs at the state level leaves room for abusive dog tethering in towns and cities across New York.
According to the Humane Society of the United States, intensive confinement or long-term restraint can severely damage the psychological well-being of dogs:
It can cause an otherwise friendly dog to become neurotic, unhappy, anxious, and often aggressive.
Dogs subjected to this treatment also commonly experience physical injuries, with their necks rubbed raw by their collars, leaving them vulnerable to insect bites and parasites.
Tethering is also often synonymous with neglectful care. Dogs may suffer from irregular feedings, overturned water bowls, inadequate veterinary care, and extreme temperatures with no access to decent shelter or protection.
People who chain their dogs are also less likely to clean the area of confinement, meaning the dogs are forced to eat and sleep in an area contaminated with urine and feces.
In 2022, Texas took an important step to improve welfare laws for dogs when the “Safe Outdoor Dogs” Act went into effect. The law banned the use of chains and weights to restrain dogs and requires dog owners to provide shade, water, and protection from bad weather for these companion animals. Now we are asking New York to follow Texas’ lead and do the right thing to protect dogs from suffering.
New York State Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal has introduced a bill that would make it illegal to chain dogs outside between the hours of 7 PM and 6 AM seven times since 2013, with the most recent version introduced in early January 2025. Unfortunately, New York State lawmakers have not managed to pass even this minimal amount of protection for dogs. New York can and should do better.
Take Action Now
Please join Species Unite in telling the Government of New York that the time is long overdue to pass this common-sense bill to protect dogs from harm.