Leaving your pet chained or tethered outside in Wisconsin is regulated by a combination of state law, proposed legislative updates, and additional local ordinances. Here’s a detailed overview of what the law says as of 2025:
Wisconsin State Law: Chaining & Tethering
Currently, it is not outright illegal to tether or chain your pet outside in Wisconsin, but there are clear restrictions to protect animal welfare:
Dogs may not be tethered for more than 10 hours in a 24-hour period.
Tethering is prohibited in extreme weather, such as severe heat, cold, storms, or whenever a weather advisory is in effect.
Dogs may not be chained outside in unsafe or unsanitary conditions or in a way that affects their well-being. For example, there must be enough space for them to eat, drink, lie down, and relieve themselves away from their eating area.
The tether must be the longer of 12 feet or four times the dog’s length, must not weigh more than 15% of the dog’s body weight, and must not use prong, pinch, or choke collars.
Dogs that are pregnant, nursing, under five months old, sick, or designated as dangerous may not be tethered at all under most circumstances.
Someone must be on or near the property whenever a dog is tethered.
These restrictions apply regardless of whether the animal is on private or public property.
Shelter Requirements
If a dog is left outside, state proposals and some local ordinances require that dogs have access to proper shelter. That means:
Penalties
Failing to follow these rules can lead to fines (up to $500 for first offenses, and far higher for repeated violations), and in cases of intentional or negligent harm, criminal charges—including misdemeanors punishable by jail time—may apply.
Local Ordinances
Some Wisconsin cities and towns—such as Racine and Linn—have their own ordinances, sometimes more restrictive than state law. For instance:
Animal Cruelty and Neglect
Leaving an animal chained outside in conditions that put it at risk of harm—such as without adequate shelter, food, or water, or during extreme temperatures—can be prosecuted under Wisconsin’s animal cruelty statutes, even if the chaining itself is not always illegal.
In Summary
You cannot legally leave your pet chained outside indefinitely or in unsafe conditions in Wisconsin.
You must follow time, weather, and care restrictions. Dogs left chained for too long, in unsafe, unsanitary, or harsh weather conditions, or without proper shelter, food, and water, put their owners at risk of fines and criminal charges.
Local ordinances may be stricter—check your city or county rules for details.
If you’re unsure, always provide your pet with safe shelter and plenty of human contact, and avoid chaining them outside for long periods—doing so isn’t just the law, it’s the humane thing to do.
Sources
[1] http://nowisconsinpuppymills.com/alert-dog-tethering.html
[2] https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2019/related/proposals/sb675
[3] https://sportsmensalliance.org/news/wisconsin-legislator-seeks-to-ban-outdoor-dogs/
[4] https://www.peta.org/issues/animal-companion-issues/ordinances/racine-wisconsin/
[5] https://www.peta.org/issues/animal-companion-issues/ordinances/linn-wisconsin/
