Chaining your dog in CA
 

So, I was watching Pit Boss (I know,"Why do I watch that stupid show!?!" It was the first time!..... Realy!) an they repossessed a dog for being on a chain. They said that it is illegal to have a dog on a chain in California. I didn't know about tis law coming into effect in 2006, so I looked it up here at Unchain Your Dog.org | Improve Dog Chaining or Tethering Laws/Ordinances

It surprised me! I read all those posts about how to properly chain your dog and I don't do it myself, but I see the need in certain cases.

I was camping last week and the new dog law in the National Forrest I was in said that I MUST have the dog chained or on a leash at all times! I can also go to any pet store and buy a chain setup. WTF! http://www.pitbull-chat.com/images/smilies/mad.png

If I'm reading it correctly, you can't even have the dog on a sky line!

I just don't get it! http://www.pitbull-chat.com/images/smilies/no2.gif

They don't get it either (those that are against chaining), and neither do we (get why they are against chaining).

welcome to california!

---------- Post added at 04:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:08 PM ----------

and its not illegal, just illegal if its tethered longer than 3 hours.

Don't worry, most people on both sides don't get it either! They complain about roaming dogs but then make it illegal to chain (most laws allow a certain amount of time that they can be chained). Personally, as long as the dog has food, water, shelter, interaction, and mental/physical stimulation it's no where near cruel.

It's probably illegal to beat a midget to death too,but if I see one taking my dog,that's what will happen,lol.

California is a weird place,I see several people moving to other areas of the country just to get away from it.Everything that should be legal is illegal and everything that should be illegal that want to be legal it seems.

---------- Post added at 07:10 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:09 PM ----------

Is that the law for the entire state or just in certain areas?

entire state i believe

Well that's what I thought, but I don't see any time restrictions:


California
2006

Health and Safety Code, Division 105, Part 6
Chapter 8. Dog Tethering
(b) No person shall tether, fasten, chain, tie, or restrain a dog, or cause a dog to be tethered, fastened, chained, tied, or restrained, to a dog house, tree, fence, or any other stationary object.

(c) Notwithstanding subdivision (b), a person may do any of the following in accordance with Section 597t of the Penal Code:
(1) Attach a dog to a running line, pulley, or trolley system. A dog shall not be tethered to the running line, pulley, or trolley system by means of a choke collar or pinch collar.
(2) Tether, fasten, chain, tie, or otherwise restrain a dog pursuant to the requirements of a camping or recreational area.
(3) Tether, fasten, chain, or tie a dog no longer than is necessary for the person to complete a temporary task that requires the dog to be restrained for a reasonable period.
(4) Tether, fasten, chain, or tie a dog while engaged in, or actively training for, an activity that is conducted pursuant to a valid license issued by the State of California if the activity for which the license is issued is associated with the use or presence of a dog. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prohibit a person from restraining a dog while participating in activities or using accommodations that are reasonably associated with the licensed activity.
(5) Tether, fasten, chain, or tie a dog while actively engaged in any of the following:
(A) Conduct that is directly related to the business of shepherding or herding cattle or livestock.
(B) Conduct that is directly related to the business of cultivating agricultural products, if the restraint is reasonably necessary for the safety of the dog.

(d) A person who violates this chapter is guilty of an infraction or a misdemeanor.
(1) An infraction under this chapter is punishable upon conviction by a fine of up to two hundred fifty dollars ($250) as to each dog with respect to which a violation occurs.
(2) A misdemeanor under this chapter is punishable upon conviction by a fine of up to one thousand dollars ($1,000) as to each dog with respect to which a violation occurs, or imprisonment in a county jail for not more than six months, or both.
(3) Notwithstanding subdivision (d), animal control may issue a correction warning to a person who violates this chapter, requiring the owner to correct the violation, in lieu of an infraction or misdemeanor, unless the violation endangers the health or safety of the animal, the animal has been wounded as a result of the violation, or a correction warning has previously been issued to the individual.

(e) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit a person from walking a dog with a hand-held leash.

I don't get it!

But they get either $250 or $1000 dollars of your money if you are found guilty. Wonder what the fines are if your dog gets loose because you didn't want to violate this particular piece of legislation?

Best to install a CCTV system that records the chain spot with the time so you can prove the dog wasn't tied out longer than:

(3) Tether, fasten, chain, or tie a dog no longer than is necessary for the person to complete a temporary task that requires the dog to be restrained for a reasonable period.

Then see if you can find the legal definition of a "reasonable period". Maybe that's the 3 hours Laced was talking about.

that dog had no food shelter or water though hell if i adopted out the dog i probably would have done the same

If I ever sell,give away or trade a dog,I consider I lost my rights to it.I'm just careful who I let have one of my dogs.

Yes, that is true. I was just commenting on the legal concerns of using a chain.

---------- Post added at 07:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:14 PM ----------

It's going to be a lot more than $250 to $1000. CA loves to tack on administration costs to fines so it could be double that in the end.

They should pay for the building of a dogs kennel if that's the case

Yea. I read something somewhere about a business that was planning on opening a division in CA. Before they'd even started on the building all these government types were showing up asking them how many office chairs they would have, how many computers, how many desks, etc. so they could assess an equipment tax on them.

They had so many visits from various agencies in CA wanting to get their pound of flesh from them that they said the hell with it and went to NV I think it was.

Thanks for the clarification! Never seemed a little off.