In Maine, it is not outright illegal to leave a dog chained or tethered outside, but the state has specific regulations designed to protect tethered dogs from harm and ensure their welfare. The law requires pet owners to provide proper shelter and protection from weather conditions if a dog is tied or confined outdoors. This means the dog must have access to a shelter that is fully enclosed except for a portal, providing protection from sun, wind, rain, snow, and severe cold. A shelter must be appropriate for Maine’s climate and adequate to maintain the dog’s health, as indicated by symptoms such as shivering, frostbite, or hypothermia if shelter is inadequate. A metal barrel, often used as a makeshift shelter, is explicitly considered inadequate under Maine law.
The legal framework emphasizes that dogs should never be tethered unattended in weather conditions that would adversely affect their health without appropriate shelter being provided. The tether or chain must be attached in a way that prevents the dog from becoming entangled or twisted, which can cause injury or distress. The dog must also have continuous access to water, shade, and a space to move safely while tethered.
While tethering itself is permitted, Maine law sets guidelines to mitigate cruelty and neglect. Prolonged tethering without care or shelter could lead to violations of animal cruelty laws. In extreme cases where a dog is left tethered in unsafe conditions or for excessive durations without meeting these welfare standards, legal consequences including animal cruelty charges may apply. Animal control officers and other authorities can intervene if a dog’s welfare is compromised due to neglect associated with tethering.
Maine also addresses animal abandonment separately, making it a Class D crime to abandon an animal, which would include leaving a dog chained outside without food, water, or shelter for an extended period. This law serves as a safeguard protecting animals from being left in harmful conditions, including being chained and unattended.
While it is not outright illegal to leave a dog chained outside in Maine, the law imposes clear requirements for shelter, protection from weather, and humane treatment to prevent suffering and neglect. Failure to adhere to these rules could result in penalties or animal cruelty charges. The legal emphasis is on ensuring the welfare of tethered dogs so that chaining does not become a form of abuse or neglect under Maine’s animal welfare statutes.
Sources
(https://www.peta.org/issues/animal-companion-issues/ordinances/maine/)
(https://www.mfoa.net/activism-programs/mfoas-dogs-chained-life-25-year-campaign)
(https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/7/title7sec4015.html)
(https://www.animallaw.info/topic/table-state-dog-tether-laws)
(https://dogtime.com/reference/106612-maine-animal-cruelty-law-dog-chain)
