Missouri legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Missouri HB2812: Establishes the offense of unlawful dog tethering or chaining
Status: In committee, May 15, 2026
What the bill says
To amend chapter 578, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to the offense of unlawful dog tethering or chaining, with a penalty provision. Section A. Chapter 578, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 578.019, to read as follows: 578.019. 1. A person commits the offense of unlawful dog tethering or chaining if the person: (1) Keeps a dog tethered or chained while the dog is unsupervised by a competent individual physically present on the property with the dog; (2) Keeps a dog tethered, chained, or otherwise restricted by a leash, rope, chain, or.
From the introduced text:
To amend chapter 578, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to the offense of unlawful dog tethering or chaining, with a penalty provision. Section A. Chapter 578, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 578.019, to read as follows: 578.019. 1. A person commits the offense of unlawful dog tethering or chaining if the person: (1) Keeps a dog tethered or chained while the dog is unsupervised by a competent individual physically present on the property with the dog; (2) Keeps a dog tethered, chained, or otherwise restricted by a leash, rope, chain, or other similar mechanism with which the dog does not have shelter from extreme natural elements, adequate food, or access to unfrozen potable water; (3) Keeps a dog tethered or chained in an area that is unsafe or insanitary or not free from obstruction that may cause entanglement or injury; (4) Keeps a dog tethered or chained for at least thirty minutes at a time, over a total of three hours in a twenty-four-hour period; or (5) Inappropriately tethers or chains a dog with a tether or chain that is not proportionate to the size of the dog, that is less than fifteen feet in length, and that is not attached to the dog by a properly fitting …
Sponsors
- Jo Doll (D, 091) · primary sponsor