Is It Illegal to Leave Your Pet Chained Outside in Hawaii? Here’s What the Law Says

Posted by Sam Ramirez March 10, 2025
Is It Illegal to Leave Your Pet Chained Outside in Hawaii? Here's What the Law Says
Yes, it is illegal to leave your pet chained outside in Hawaii under certain conditions. Hawaii’s laws regarding dog tethering and restraint are quite specific and aim to protect animals from cruelty and ensure their well-being. Here’s what the law says:

Tethering Restrictions

  1. It is illegal to tether, fasten, tie, or restrain a dog to a stationary object (such as a doghouse, tree, or fence) using a choke collar, pinch collar, or prong collar.
  2. Dogs under 6 months of age cannot be tethered or restrained at all, unless they are engaged in an activity supervised by their owner or an agent of the owner.
  3. The use of tow or log chains to tether or restrain dogs is prohibited.

Time and Condition Restrictions

  1. It is illegal to leave a dog restrained outdoors for more than 24 consecutive hours.
  2. Tethering is not allowed during extreme weather conditions. This includes when:
    • A weather advisory or warning has been issued by authorities
    • Outdoor conditions (extreme heat, cold, wind, rain, snow, or hail) pose an adverse risk to the dog’s health or safety

Additional Regulations

  1. The tethering method must not endanger the dog or prevent it from obtaining necessary sustenance.
  2. The tether must be designed specifically for dogs. Logging chains or other devices not intended for dog tethering are prohibited.
  3. The weight of the chain or tether cannot exceed 1/8 of the dog’s body weight.

Legal Consequences

Violating these laws is considered a second-degree animal cruelty offense in Hawaii. Penalties can include fines and potential criminal charges, depending on the severity and frequency of the offense.

Recent Legislative Efforts

In 2018, Hawaii introduced a bill (HB1298) to further strengthen protections against continuous tethering or chaining of dogs, recognizing it as a cruel and inhumane practice that endangers both dogs and people. It’s important for pet owners in Hawaii to be aware of these laws and ensure they provide proper care and living conditions for their animals. The legislation aims to promote the health, safety, and welfare of dogs while also protecting public safety. Sources
  1. https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/local-news/2020-02-09/hawaii-lawmakers-introduce-2-bills-targeted-at-dog-tethering
  2. https://www.peta.org/issues/animal-companion-issues/ordinances/hawaii/
  3. https://www.animallaw.info/topic/table-state-dog-tether-laws
  4. https://www.animallaw.info/statute/hi-cruelty-hawaii-cruelty-animals-provisions-chapter-711
  5. https://legiscan.com/HI/text/HB1298/id/1706935/Hawaii-2018-HB1298-Introduced.html