In legal terms, a dog is the property of its owner.
On the one hand, he has the right to do with it as he sees fit. On the other hand, a dog is a sentient being that deserves to be treated with proper care and diligence. So is chaining a dog outdoors acceptable at some times and not at others?
Here's a typical example of how some people deal with the issue:
Everybody in a particular neighborhood has at least one dog. With one exception, they all chain their animals outside for some part of the day.
One owner leaves both his dogs tied up three times a day, but takes them in the rest of the time. Another family leaves the dog outside, tied to its dog house, all day long, every day, only letting it back in the house at night. Still another chains their dogs to a stake in the middle of the yard every afternoon for hours on end.
The problem isn't whether or not the dogs are comfortable, have enough food or water, or get too lonely. The problem is that they're unsupervised and run the risk of hurting themselves, hurting each other, or hurting passers by who might venture into the yards unawares.
Dogs are left outside for three simple reasons:
To go to the toilet
To take a bit of exercise
To get some fresh air
But as any dog owner will tell you, a brisk walk is enough to accomplish all three of these objectives. In most instances, a walk first thing in the morning and again in late afternoon or early evening will suffice. In any case, it isn't necessary to leave a dog outside for hours at a time.
The Great Outdoors
Chains or ropes cause their own problems, too. There isn't much room to maneuver, for a start. And every rope or chain has to be of a fixed length, which means movement is restricted.
Then there's the issue of the unexpected. Suppose a cat or another dog happens to find its way into the yard. Many dogs will attempt to chase the intruder, not realizing that before they get to their prey they'll run out of rope. That can either cause them pain or result in the rope breaking or the chain clip giving way. If that happens, said dog could be miles away before the owners even know it's missing. Or if another dog is involved, a fight could ensue with potentially serious consequences.
Be Responsible
The question isn't simply one of legalities: it's one of responsibility, too. Dogs are pets first and foremost, and pet owners have a responsibility to see that their animals are treated fairly and humanely. It isn't necessary to let your dog sleep in the bed with you, to buy it special clothing or feed it on filet mignon.
For some people, dogs are members of the family. They treat them with kindness and respect. They'd never do anything to harm them. For others, however, a dog is just an animal, a deterrent to stop trespassers or keep neighborhood children out of the yard.
People are people, and often they need laws in place to protect themselves as much as to protect their family members and possessions. And because it's not always possible to rely on people to do the right thing, more and more states are passing anti-chaining laws. There's an informative web site at Unchain Your Dog that provides news about the issue and gives alternatives to chaining. It also carries the headline:
Doesn't Man's Best Friend Deserve More than Life on a Chain?
A More Humane Solution
If you want to let your dog run free in the yard, build a fence. Or tie it up when you're also outside, so you can keep an eye on things. You might consider investing in a basic trolley system to enable your dog to have more movement.
Trolleys are still chains, though. They still have the potential to cause damage, including the possibility that the dog will become entangled in the line and choke itself to death.
Dogs are naturally social beings that historically live and hunt in packs. They yearn for company, whether that's the company of humans or of other animals. Leaving them alone can cause stress and lead to changes in behavior, including disobedience and aggression.
If chaining or tethering dogs unsupervised outdoors isn't illegal, it should be. As one advertisement puts it:
Dogs are for life, not just for Christmas.