Mexico, Missouri

Sec. 4-116. – Restraint; tethering or chaining of dogs.

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, it shall be unlawful for a person to restrain a dog with a chain or tether unless the person is holding the chain or tether.

(b) The prohibition of subsection (a) of this section does not apply to a temporary restraint of less than one hour or:

(1) During a lawful animal event, such as walking on a leash, cleaning a dog pen, veterinary treatment, grooming, training, or law enforcement activity; or

(2) That is required to protect the safety or welfare of a person or the dog when the dog’s owner or handler remains with the dog throughout the period of restraint.

(c) A person restraining a dog with a chain or tether shall attach the chain or tether to a properly fitting collar or harness worn by the dog. A person may not wrap a chain or tether directly around a dog’s neck. A person may not restrain a dog with a chain or tether that weighs more than one-eighth of the dog’s body weight. A chain or tether used to restrain a dog must, by design and placement, be unlikely to become entangled.

(d) A person may not restrain a dog in a manner that does not allow the dog to have access to necessary shelter and water.

(e) A person may not restrain a dog in a manner that allows the dog to move outside the person’s property.