Background: The Center for Disease Control states that chained dogs are 2.8 times more likely to bite adults and nearly five times more likely to bite children. The National Canine Research Council reports that almost 30 percent of all fatal dog attacks involve chained or penned dogs. It is believed that tethered dogs are more likely to bite because they are usually unsocialized; their living space is reduced to a few square feet, which heightens their territoriality; and they don't have the option of escaping during a confrontation. There is concern that chained dogs are also more vulnerable to other animals and cruel people. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), there are 20 states that place specific restrictions on tethering animals. The AVMA reports that many other animal cruelty statutes likely would be interpreted to prohibit tethering where it is detrimental to the animal, though the statute may not specifically use the term tethering.

Summary of Bill (Proposed First Substitute): Necessary food and water is defined to mean food or feed appropriate to the species for which it is intended. Both food and water must be in sufficient quantity and quality to sustain the animal, and must be easily accessible to the animal. Necessary shelter means a structure that keeps the animal dry and protected from the elements. It must also allow the animal to turn around, sit, stand, and lie without restriction.

The owner of a dog may be charged with unlawful tethering if the owner leaves a dog restrained or tied outside through the use of a tether, chain, rope, cord, pulley, or trolley system under certain circumstances, including:

between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.;
for more than ten hours consecutively, or more than ten hours within any 24-hour period;
during any declared weather advisories, warnings, or emergencies in effect in the dog's location;
in a manner that prevents the dog from lying, sitting, standing comfortably, or unable to have access to necessary shelter;
in a manner that could result in the dog becoming entangled on the restraint or another object;
in a manner that results in the dog being left in unsafe or unsanitary conditions or that cause injury to the dog;
on the same restraint as another animal;
if the dog is sick, injured, in the advanced stages of pregnancy, or under six months of age; or
in a location within 100 yards of a school or licensed daycare facility or within ten feet of a public right-of-way.

A tether, fastener, chain, tie, or other restraint must be attached to a properly fitted buckle-type harness or collar and certain types of collars, like choke collars, are prohibited. A person who violates the tethering restrictions is subject to a written warning for the first occurrence and is given 14 days to remedy the violation. When possible, the owner must be provided with information about the dangers of tethering and humane and safe restraint methods. A second violation or a failure to remedy the conditions which led to the written warning is a class 2 civil infraction. A third or subsequent violation is a misdemeanor.

Specific exemptions from the tethering prohibitions are provided, such as when a dog is tethered by a licensed veterinarian while receiving care, while being trained or used by a federal, state, or local law enforcement agency or military or national guard unit, or while being kept temporarily in a boarding kennel or at a camping or recreation area. In addition, an exemption from the tethering proscriptions may be granted at the discretion of the animal control authority in each jurisdiction.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: Tethering and neglect are closely related. Many many dogs suffer from the inhumanity of being tethered for long lengths of time; they also suffer from loneliness. Our state can once again be able to say no to animal cruelty. Continuous chaining and tethering of dogs is cruel. There are many ways to be a good pet owner and well meaning legislation can have unintended consequences. I believe this to be true of those states that have banned tethering all together. This bill is balanced and contains clear guidelines. It does not impose severe penalties on owners who don’t comply. It gives them a fair opportunity to learn about the dangers of tethering and make positive changes. The bill tries to limit tethering when the dog would most be in danger or be a nuisance. Law enforcement needs an enforceable tool to respond to cases of dogs being chained for very long periods of time. Often they’re left for days, weeks, months, etc. When a dog is confined on a chain, rope, or whatever, it can’t escape if it is in danger. Education and outreach are the first steps under this bill.

CON: Crating of dogs is cruel. It is hard on short haired dogs to go in and out; it's better to be on a tether than stuck in a crate or unheated garage. This bill doesn't give responsibility to a state agency so no Washington administrative code will be adopted. Enforcement would fall to local animal control. Micromanaging dog owners is problematic. If it’s hot and I put my dog on a line in the evening, I would be a criminal. To say dogs become mean because they’re tethered is absolutely a myth. I've only seen one catastrophic case in 43 years of being a vet. The issue boils down to responsible ownership and responsible tethering. Education about this is important.