Wentzville, Missouri

Sec. 205.270. – Tethering, prohibited conduct.

(a) It is unlawful for any owner or controlling party to:

(1) Leave an animal tethered outdoors for eight continuous hours or for a total of 10 hours in a 24-hour period.

(2) Tether an animal except by means of:

a. A properly fitting harness or collar of nylon or leather construction which does not chafe or injure the animal; and

b. A tether in proportion to the size of the animal such that its weight and construction do not burden or encumber the animal. The tether must be at least 15 feet in length with a swivel at both ends.

A tether’s length shall not allow the animal to move outside the bounds of the owner’s curtilage or have access to sidewalks or rights-of-way that are accessible to pedestrian traffic.

(3) Tether an animal in such a manner that the animal cannot access adequate shelter.

(4) Tether an animal outdoors under conditions where the tether can become entangled on itself, the tethered animal, another animal or some other object causing a hazard for injury or death, or where the tether can restrict the animal’s access to adequate shelter (cool in summer and unfrozen in winter), adequate food, or adequate water.

(5) Tether an animal outdoors in unsafe or unsanitary conditions or when the tether does not allow the animal to defecate or urinate in an area separate from the areas where it must eat, drink or lie down.

(6) Expose an animal to any weather conditions that cause imminent threat to the animal’s physical well-being.

(7) Tether an animal on a choke, prong or pinch collar or tow chain or in such a manner as to cause injury, strangulation or entanglement of the animal on fences, trees or other manmade or natural obstacles.

(8) Tether an animal in an area where bare earth is present and no steps have been taken to prevent the surface from becoming wet and muddy in the event of precipitation.

(9) Leave an animal tethered outside between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., except temporarily tethering outdoors for a time period not exceeding 15 minutes.

(10) Muzzle an animal while on a tether or chain.

(11) Tether a dog or cat under the age of six months.

(b) For the purposes of this section, the term “tether” does not include the use of a leash to walk an animal.

(c) Violations of this section shall be punishable as provided in section 205.280 pertaining to animal neglect or abandonment.