Tethering/Chaining
Greenfield, Massachusetts
§ 213-9 Dogs at large.
E. Restraining; exceptions.
(1) No person owning or keeping a dog shall permit such dog to be at large elsewhere than on the premises of the owner or keeper, except if it be on the premises of another person with the permission of such other person. Such owner or keeper of a dog, which is not on the premises of the owner, or upon the premises of another person with the permission of such other person, shall restrain such dog with a chain or leash not exceeding eight feet in length. No dog or puppy may be restrained by a fixed-point chain or tether for more than eight hours in a twenty-four-hour period. Any tethering employed shall not allow the dog or puppy to leave the owner’s or keeper’s property. No chain or tether shall weigh more than 1/8 of the dog’s or puppy’s body weight. Any chain or tether used must be attached to a properly fitting collar or harness worn by the animal.
(2) Exceptions:
(a) The dog is attached to a leash held by a person who is capable of controlling the dog or puppy.
(b) The dog is in a vehicle from which it cannot escape while the vehicle is driven,
(c) parked, or stopped.
(d) The dog is within 100 feet or within calling or whistling distance, mechanical or
(e) otherwise, for the purposes of hunting in an area where hunting is allowed and dogs are legally allowed for hunting purposes.
(f) The dog is in a public area where dogs or puppies are allowed.