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HB 2812

Establishes the offense of unlawful dog tethering or chaining

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jo Doll

Missouri HB 2812 would make unlawful dog tethering or chaining a criminal offense and set criteria, penalties, and enforcement for unsafe restraint of dogs.

Referred: Emerging Issues(H)
#animals #crimesandpunishment #criminalprocedure
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Bill Summary · HB 2812

Overview

House Bill 2812 (2026) from Missouri seeks to establish the offense of unlawful dog tethering or chaining. The measure creates a new criminal offense and sets out conditions under which tethering or chaining a dog would be prohibited. The bill has a co-sponsor and has progressed through the House, including initial readings and referral to a committee.

Purpose and intent

  • To prohibit the practice of tethering or chaining a dog in specific circumstances that endanger the animal’s welfare.
  • To provide clear statutory criteria for when tethering becomes unlawful, replacing ambiguous or unenforced standards with defined conduct and potential penalties.

Key provisions and changes

  • Establishment of a criminal offense: Unlawful dog tethering or chaining. The statute would define what constitutes unlawful tethering or chaining, including duration, conditions, and environment in which a dog is restrained.
  • Criteria for unlawfulness: The bill likely specifies factors such as extreme weather, inadequate shelter, lack of access to food and water, inadequate space, or chained/tethered periods beyond a defined time limit. While exact thresholds are not detailed in the summary, such measures typically address animal welfare concerns.
  • Penalties and enforcement: The bill would outline the penalties for violating the unlawful tethering prohibition, potentially including fines, mandatory welfare interventions, or other sanctions. It may also designate enforcement mechanisms and authorities responsible for enforcing the provision.
  • Exemptions or defenses: There could be specified exemptions (e.g., temporary tethering for events or training) or operational defenses depending on circumstances and compliance with welfare standards.
  • Authorities and regulations: The measure may authorize or require regulations, guidance, or training for animal control officers and law enforcement to implement the new offense consistently.

Who would be affected

  • Dog owners and guardians who use tethering or chaining as a restraint method.
  • Animal control officials, law enforcement, and local jurisdictions responsible for enforcing animal welfare laws.
  • Potentially shelters, rescue organizations, and veterinarians who may encounter dogs affected by unlawful tethering and participate in welfare interventions.
  • The broader public as it relates to animal welfare standards and enforcement practices.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and first reading: January 7, 2026.
  • Second reading: January 8, 2026.
  • Referral: May 15, 2026, to the Emerging Issues/H committee.
  • Sponsors: Rep. Jo Doll (co-sponsor).

Potential impacts to consider

  • Clarifies legal standards for when tethering a dog becomes a criminal offense, potentially increasing local enforcement of animal welfare.
  • Could lead to increased reporting and welfare interventions in cases of prolonged or unsafe tethering.
  • May affect customary or rural practices that involve tethering, depending on the defined thresholds and exemptions.
  • Requires enforcement agencies to adapt training and procedures to administer the new offense consistently.

Note: The summary reflects the information available from the bill's action history and title. For precise definitions, penalties, exemptions, and regulatory details, the full text of HB 2812 would need to be reviewed once available.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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