NY S06315

Prohibits unaccompanied outdoor tethering of dogs except when strict conditions are met, including the dog being at least six months old, not nursing or pregnant, and free from illness or injury.

Requires tethered dogs to have unencumbered access to shade, food, water, shelter, and dry ground, with tethering limited to four consecutive hours or six hours total per 24-hour period.

Bans tethering between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. and prohibits tethering during dangerous weather conditions as defined by industry standards (extreme heat above 80°F or extreme cold below 35°F).

Establishes civil penalties: $50 maximum for first offense, $1,000 per dog plus investigation costs for second offense, and $3,000 per dog plus investigation costs for third or subsequent offenses, with animal forfeiture and registry requirements for repeat violators.

Allows municipalities to enact local tethering laws that are no less stringent than state requirements and exempts law enforcement agencies from the provisions.