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City of Topeka Tethering Ordinance

It is illegal for a dog to be tethered or chained for more than one hour in the city limits.

This ordinance requires that a dog must be untethered for three hours before being tethered again. Tethering refers to any chain, leash, rope, cable, string, leather or nylon strap or any other material used to fasten a dog to a stationary object, pulley run line or a stake.

Whatever the reasons may be for the tethering of dogs, the City of Topeka has recognized its dangers, including the possible death of the animal.

The ordinance also prohibits:

Using any tether shorter than 10 feet in length.
Chains weighing more than 1/8 of the animal’s weight, or inhibiting the free movement of the animal.
Tethering a dog on a choke chain.
Tethering a dog without access to proper protection from the elements.
Tethering a dog in an open area where it can be teased by people or in an area that does not provide protection from attack by other animals.
Tethering an animal where no steps have been taken to prevent the surface from becoming wet and muddy in the event of precipitation.

The Topeka Police Department suggests alternatives to tethering:

Install a fence if your property doesn’t have one.
Install a large, chain-link dog run.
Train your dog to be an indoor dog.

Keeping your dog inside the fence:

If you have problems with your dog jumping over the fence, try installing a 45-degree inward extension to the top of existing fence. If your dog digs under the fence, bury chicken wire to a depth of one foot below where the fence meets the ground or place large rocks at the base of the fence.

Behavioral problems:

Spay or neuter your dog.
Enroll your dog in obedience classes.
Provide your dog with proper toys, exercise, “people time” and positive reinforcement.

The fines for non-compliance with the new ordinance range from $50 - $100 for the first offense, $150 - $200 for the second offense, and a minimum of $499 and two to 10 days in jail on the third offense.

For more information on the Tethering Ordinance, contact the Topeka Police Department Animal Control Office at 785-368-9484.

The ordinance was passed by the Topeka City Council on January 18, 2005. Topeka is the fourth city in Kansas to enact a Tethering Ordinance. Wichita, Lawrence and Overland Park have similar ordinances.