10-02-2025
What Ohio law says about dogs being kept outside during the winter
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – While animal welfare organizations receive an increase of calls during the winter from Ohioans who are concerned about dogs being kept outside, state law often limits when they can step in.
In Ohio, there is no law restricting the tethering of a dog outside or setting a time limit for how long they can be left outdoors. However, the law does require that companion animals have access to food, water and 'adequate shelter.' Any animal that is kept inside someone's residence, as well as any dog or cat, is considered a companion animal under the law.
Specifically, pets must have access to protection from the elements, including snow, rain and direct sunlight. If a 'reasonable person' would assume the animal would get sick, suffer or die as a result of the weather in the conditions they are kept in, the shelter is considered inadequate under the law.
Mark Finneran, Ohio director of the Humane Society of the United States, said the vague definition in state law for adequate shelter can provide dog wardens and humane agents flexibility, but can also make the law difficult to enforce.
'Vague language can create some obstacles where [humane agents] get called out to a property and maybe they feel like it's not a good situation for the dog, but because of the way the code is written, they're not always able to move forward with charges or they're not able to give specific instructions to a property owner about 'here's exactly what you need to do in order to get up the code,'' Finneran said.
Some other states, such as Tennessee, have more concrete definitions of adequate shelter, Finneran said. Some requirements in Tennessee's law include having a structure that is enclosed on all sides and contains bedding material.
While there is no statewide law in Ohio restricting tethering or specific guidelines for adequate shelter, numerous cities and townships across the state have passed their own animal welfare-related ordinances.
Columbus residents could be charged with a misdemeanor if a dog is chained outside between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. or during severe weather. Bexley and the city of Delaware have passed similar ordinances placing limitations on tethering, according to nonprofit rescue group Columbus Dog Connection.
Multiple cities have also passed adequate shelter ordinances, including Delaware, which requires a dog shelter to, among other things, have moisture-proof floors and be raised off the ground.
Finneran said if someone is concerned about the conditions a dog is being kept in, the best thing they can do is contact their local animal enforcement agency – in Franklin County, that is Columbus Humane. In Ohio, humane agents possess the power to make an arrest or take a pet if someone is found to be breaking laws regarding companion animals.
Columbus Humane told NBC4 in December that providing photos and videos when leaving a tip helps them build evidence to potentially seize an animal. Chief Humane Agent Jessica Scott said when determining if shelter is adequate, the animal welfare organization considers whether the structure has four walls and a roof that protects an animal from the elements.
If a resident has a friendly relationship with an individual who keeps their dog outdoors in questionable conditions, Finneran suggested talking with them and attempting to help.
'If you have a relationship with that neighbor or you feel that you can talk to them in a safe way, I always like to start with the spirit of trying to offer something to them,' Finneran said. 'If they don't have a doghouse for their dog, you can offer them an old doghouse that your neighbor or family member had that you can give to them or if they don't have bedding in a doghouse, you can offer them some straw.'
The most common reasons people do not provide proper shelter to a dog comes down to an education or resource issue, rather than the individual intentionally being cruel, according to Finneran.
'A lot of times they don't realize that it's too cold for a dog, or that they just don't have the resources to be able to provide everything that dog needs,' he said.
Finneran said the Humane Society of the United States is hoping the Ohio legislature will look at the state's guidelines for adequate shelter this General Assembly, and pass more specific requirements. He encouraged Ohioans to reach out to state legislators and elected officials to push for this change.
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