Statewide Alaska Law
- No Statewide Ban: Alaska does not have a statewide law prohibiting the chaining or tethering of dogs outside. There are criticisms about the lack of statewide restrictions, and as of now, it is not categorically illegal to tether your pet outdoors in Alaska.
- Cruelty and Neglect Laws Still Apply: While tethering itself is not banned, Alaska’s animal cruelty statutes still apply. If a dog is left chained in a way that causes it harm, suffering, or puts its health or safety at risk (such as exposure to extreme weather, lack of food, water, or shelter), this could be prosecuted as animal cruelty, which is a misdemeanor or, in aggravated cases, a felony.
Local Ordinances
- City and Borough Rules: Many cities and boroughs in Alaska have their own ordinances that regulate or restrict pet tethering. For example, in Valdez:
- No animal may be chained, tied, or otherwise tethered outdoors as a means of confinement for more than 13 hours in a 24-hour period.
- Tethers must be at least 10 feet long, weigh no more than one-eighth of the animal’s body weight, and must not cause injury or entanglement.
- Animals must have sufficient space, food, water, and shelter.
Best Practices and Recommendations
- Even where tethering is not specifically regulated, animal welfare organizations and local authorities recommend:
- Never tether a dog in a way that could cause injury, strangulation, or prevent access to shelter, food, or water.
- Avoid leaving pets chained outside in extreme cold, heat, or dangerous weather.
- Always check your local city or borough ordinances, as they may be stricter than state law.
Summary Table: Alaska Pet Chaining Laws
| Level | Tethering Ban? | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Statewide | No | Tethering is not banned, but cruelty/neglect laws apply if animal is harmed. |
| Local (e.g., Valdez) | Yes (with limits) | Max 13 hours/day, minimum tether length, weight limits, must allow free movement. |
It is not illegal under Alaska state law to leave your pet chained outside, but you must avoid cruelty or neglect. Local ordinances may impose stricter rules, so always check your city or borough’s regulations before tethering your pet outdoors.
Sources
- https://dogtime.com/reference/106096-alaska-dog-laws-rabies-dog-bites-abandonment-and-cruelty
- https://www.codepublishing.com/AK/Valdez/html/Valdez06/Valdez0608.html
- https://www.animallaw.info/topic/table-state-dog-tether-laws
- https://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/pets
- https://www.muni.org/Departments/health/Admin/animal_control/Documents/Codified%20Title%2017%20(54%20page%20PDF).pdf
