Leaving your pet chained outside in Georgia is not illegal under state law, but there are important regulations and local ordinances that dictate how and when you can tether your dog. At the state level, Georgia does not have a blanket ban on chaining or tethering dogs outdoors. However, state law and many county or city ordinances require that dogs left outside on a tether must have access to adequate food, water, and shelter, and the tether must allow them enough movement to reach these necessities. The tether cannot be a choke chain or excessively heavy, and the dog must have protection from the elements. Additionally, the dog cannot be left unattended while tethered.
Many Georgia counties and cities have enacted stricter rules than the state minimum. For example, in Social Circle, Walton County, and several other localities, it is illegal to leave a dog unattended while tethered. In these jurisdictions, a responsible person must be present and able to supervise the dog whenever it is tied up. The tether must be attached to a proper collar or harness, and certain types of collars—such as prong, choke, pinch, or martingale collars—are prohibited for tethering. The tether cannot be wrapped directly around the dog’s neck or body, and it must not weigh more than a set percentage of the dog’s weight (often 5% or 10%, depending on local law).
Some places, like LaGrange, only allow tethering if the dog is attended—meaning the owner or another responsible person must be in the immediate physical presence and line of sight of the dog at all times. In these areas, leaving a dog chained outside unattended is considered an offense and can result in fines or other penalties.
Violating these tethering laws or local ordinances can result in fines, animal cruelty charges, or even the removal of the animal. Animal control officers and local authorities are empowered to enforce these rules, and community members can report suspected violations.
While it is not illegal to leave your pet chained outside in Georgia under state law if basic welfare standards are met, many local jurisdictions have much stricter rules—often requiring that dogs never be left unattended while tethered and that their welfare is carefully protected. Always check your local ordinances before tethering your pet outdoors.
Sources
[1] https://www.classiccitynews.com/post/is-it-illegal-to-leave-your-dog-chained-outside-in-georgia-here-s-what-law-says
[2] https://www.peta.org/issues/animal-companion-issues/ordinances/social-circle-georgia/
[3] https://www.peta.org/issues/animal-companion-issues/ordinances/roswell-georgia/
[4] https://news.monroelocal.org/anti-tethering-law-passes-unanimously-in-walton-county/
[5] https://www.peta.org/issues/animal-companion-issues/ordinances/lagrange-georgia/
