As concerns about animal welfare continue to grow, many Wyoming pet owners wonder whether it’s legal to leave a dog or other pet chained outside for extended periods. The answer is nuanced and depends on both state law and local ordinances.
State Law: No Blanket Ban, But Cruelty Laws Apply
Wyoming does not have a statewide law that explicitly bans the practice of chaining or tethering pets outside. However, the state’s animal cruelty statutes do apply if a pet is left in conditions that cause suffering, injury, or neglect.
For example, leaving a dog chained outside without adequate shelter, food, or water—especially during Wyoming’s harsh winters or hot summers—can be prosecuted as animal cruelty. The law focuses on the animal’s well-being, so if chaining results in harm or distress, authorities can intervene.
Local Ordinances: City and County Rules Differ
While the state does not have a specific anti-tethering law, many Wyoming cities and counties have enacted their own regulations to address the issue. These local rules often set standards for the length and type of tether, the amount of time a pet can be left chained, and the conditions that must be met to ensure the animal’s safety.
For instance, in Torrington, any restraint used must be at least ten feet long and designed to prevent choking or entanglement. The city also requires that outdoor enclosures provide enough space for the animal, and that proper shelter is always available. In Wheatland, tethering a pet for more than 12 hours in a 24-hour period is prohibited, and the animal must have access to water and shelter at all times.
Casper, one of Wyoming’s larger cities, allows tethering only if the dog is within the visual range of a responsible person. The tether must not cause entanglement or strangulation, and the animal must always have access to food, water, and shelter. While the current law limits tethering to two hours a day, city officials are considering changes that would allow for longer periods if humane conditions are met.
Riverton requires that tethers be at least three times the animal’s body length, or eight feet, whichever is longer. The tether cannot weigh more than a quarter of the animal’s body weight, and the city limits tethering to two hours per day if the owner has a fenced yard, or ten hours if not.
What Pet Owners Should Know
No matter where you live in Wyoming, it is essential to ensure that any chained or tethered pet has access to adequate food, water, and shelter. The tether should never cause injury or restrict the animal’s movement to the point of suffering.
Leaving a pet exposed to extreme weather, or in a way that causes distress or harm, can result in prosecution under animal cruelty laws, even if there is no specific anti-tethering ordinance in your area.
While Wyoming state law does not make it outright illegal to leave your pet chained outside, local ordinances may impose strict limits on how, when, and for how long you can do so.
In all cases, chaining or tethering that leads to suffering, neglect, or exposure to dangerous weather can be prosecuted as animal cruelty. Pet owners should always check their city or county’s specific rules and prioritize their animal’s safety and comfort when outdoors.
Sources
[1] https://www.wyocap.org/news/facts-about-dog-chaining-and-tethering
[2] https://torringtonwy.gov/DocumentCenter/View/208/Animal-Ordinance-PDF
[3] https://www.akc.org/legislative-alerts/wyoming-city-casper-considering-modifying-tethering-restrictions/
[4] https://www.peta.org/issues/animal-companion-issues/ordinances/wheatland-wyoming/
[5] https://www.peta.org/issues/animal-companion-issues/ordinances/riverton-wyoming/
