In South Dakota, it is not explicitly illegal under state law to leave your pet chained or tethered outside, as there are currently no state-level statutes that specifically prohibit tethering or chaining dogs or other pets. However, this does not mean that pet owners have unlimited freedom to leave animals chained outside without consequence.
State law still prohibits animal neglect, abandonment, or mistreatment, which can include situations where a tethered or chained animal is denied proper care. According to South Dakota Codified Law 40-1-2.3, all persons responsible for an animal must avoid neglecting, abandoning, or mistreating the animal, and violations can result in criminal charges such as a misdemeanor.
The absence of a statewide anti-tethering law means that the legality of keeping a pet chained outdoors depends largely on the specific manner in which the animal is kept and the ordinances in the local city or county.
While long-term outdoor chaining is not itself banned across the state, some localities within South Dakota may have their own rules regulating or restricting chaining or tethering of pets. For example, certain cities might set limits on the length of time a pet may be tied up, require that animals have constant access to food, water, and shelter, or stipulate the type of tether allowed. It is therefore important for pet owners to research and understand any local animal control ordinances that are in force where they live, as these can differ from place to place within the state.
More broadly, even where local rules permit chaining a pet, owners must take steps to ensure that the animal is kept in conditions that do not constitute cruelty. Pets left chained outside must always be able to reach food, clean water, and adequate shelter, and must not be exposed to dangerous objects or harmful weather conditions. If a pet is left outside in such a way that results in suffering, injury, or deprivation of basic needs, animal control can intervene and the owner may be prosecuted for animal neglect or cruelty, regardless of the legality of the chaining itself.
While South Dakota does not have a state law that categorically bans chaining or tethering pets outdoors, state statutes on animal welfare still apply and prohibit neglectful or cruel treatment. Pet owners should check with their local authorities for specific tethering rules in their area and always ensure their pet’s basic needs are met to avoid legal consequences and uphold responsible care.
Sources
(https://dogtime.com/reference/106765-south-dakota-dog-laws-2023-rabies-dog-bites-dog-cruelty-and-dog-chains)
(https://www.peta.org/issues/animal-companion-issues/ordinances/fargo-north-dakota/)
(https://www.animallaw.info/topic/table-state-dog-tether-laws)
(https://aldf.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/SOUTH-DAKOTA.pdf)
(https://sdlegislature.gov/Rules/Administrative/41:03:01:13)
