Wyoming’s Dog Tethering Laws: What’s Legal, What’s Not, and the Penalties You Could Face

In Wyoming, dog tethering regulations are primarily established at the municipal level, leading to variations across different cities. Below is an overview of tethering laws and associated penalties in select Wyoming municipalities:

1. Casper

• Regulations: As of 2018, Casper’s city council considered modifying tethering restrictions. The proposed amendments included:
  
  • Removing the two-hour daily tethering limit, provided the dog is tethered humanely.
    
  • Ensuring tethers are attached to non-choking collars or harnesses appropriate for the dog’s size and strength.
    
  • Ensuring the tethered area is free from entanglement hazards.
    
  • Providing food and water in spill-proof containers.
    
  • Offering protection from severe weather conditions.
    
  • Maintaining the two-hour tethering limit for dogs with access to a fenced yard, while allowing up to ten hours for those without fencing.
    
• Penalties: Specific penalties for violations were not detailed in the provided source.
  

2. Cheyenne

• Regulations: The Cheyenne Code of Ordinances stipulates that if a shelter with a tether is used as a primary enclosure for a dog kept outdoors, the tether must be placed or attached to avoid entanglement with chains of other dogs or any other objects.
  
• Penalties: Specific penalties for violations are not detailed in the provided source.
  

3. Laramie

• Regulations: Dogs may not be tethered longer than eight hours in any twenty-four-hour period. Tethers must be no less than three times the dog’s body length (measured from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail) or eight feet, whichever is greater.
  
• Penalties: Specific penalties for violations are not detailed in the provided source.
  

4. Riverton

• Regulations: Animals may not be tethered on a line less than three times their body length (as measured from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail) or eight feet, whichever is greater. The tether’s weight must not exceed one-quarter of the animal’s body weight.
  
• Penalties: Specific penalties for violations are not detailed in the provided source.
  

5. Jackson

• Regulations: Tethers must be placed or attached to avoid entanglement with chains of other dogs or any other objects and should be at least three times the length of the dog (measured from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail). The dog must have convenient and safe access to water and protection from the elements.
  
• Penalties: Specific penalties for violations are not detailed in the provided source.
  

6. Wheatland

• Regulations: Animals may not be tethered in any yard longer than twelve hours in a twenty-four-hour period. All tethers must be no less than ten feet in length and may not extend past the owner’s property limits.
  
  
• Penalties: Specific penalties for violations are not detailed in the provided source.
  

Conclusion

Wyoming’s approach to dog tethering regulations varies by municipality, with cities like Casper, Cheyenne, Laramie, Riverton, Jackson, and Wheatland implementing specific ordinances to ensure the humane treatment of animals. Penalties for violations are not consistently detailed across sources. Dog owners in Wyoming should familiarize themselves with local ordinances to ensure compliance and promote the well-being of their pets.