Tennessee Statute 68-8-109

This Tennessee statute provides that any dog found running at large may be seized by authorities and placed in a dog pound. If the dog is wearing a tag, the owner shall be notified by a postcard addressed to the owner's last-known mailing address to appear within five (5) days and pay a fee or the dog will be destroyed. If the dog is not wearing a tag, the dog shall be destroyed, unless legally claimed by the owner within two (2) days.

http://www.animallaw.info/statutes/stustnst68_8_109.htm

http://www.animal-law.org/statutes/tenn.htm

Tennessee Statute 39-14-201 - 212

These Tennessee anti-cruelty provisions define "animal" as a domesticated living creature or a wild creature previously captured. A person commits the offense of cruelty to animals (a Class A misdemeanor) if he or she intentionally or knowingly tortures, maims or grossly overworks an animal; fails unreasonably to provide necessary food, water, care or shelter for an animal in the person's custody; abandons unreasonably an animal in the person's custody; transports or confines an animal in a cruel manner; or inflicts burns, cuts, lacerations, or other injuries or pain. It is a defense to prosecution that the action was accepted veterinary practice or bona fide scientific research. A second or subsequent conviction for cruelty to animals is a Class E felony. 

Animal fighting is also prohibited under this section, with dog fighting incurring a felony penalty and cockfighting resulting in a misdemeanor in most cases. A person commits aggravated cruelty (a Class E felony) to animals when, with aggravated cruelty and with no justifiable purpose, he or she intentionally kills or intentionally causes serious physical injury to a companion animal. Again, exclusions include animal farming, research, veterinary practices, hunting, trapping, "dispatching" rabid animals or wild animals on one's property, among other things.

http://www.animallaw.info/statutes/stustnst39_14_201_212.htm

Tennessee Statute 44-17-403

This Tennessee statute provides that a pet owner may seek non-economic damages up to $4,000 for the death of his or her pet against the person who is liable for causing the death or injuries that led to the animal's death. The person causing the pet's death must have been at least negligent and the incident must have occurred either on the owner or pet caretaker's property or while in the control and supervision of the caretaker. 

These damages are not for the intentional infliction of emotional distress of the owner or other civil claim, but rather for the direct loss of "reasonably expected society, companionship, love and affection of the pet."

http://www.animallaw.info/statutes/stustn44_17_403.htm

Tennessee Statute 44-17-120

This Tennessee statute provides that any dog which attacks a human and causes death or serious injury may be destroyed upon the order of the circuit court where the attack occurred. The owner shall be given notice that if he or she does not appear before the court within five days and show cause why the dog should not be destroyed, then the order shall issue and the dog shall be destroyed. 

This statute also allows certain counties to make ordinances to petition a general sessions court to provide for the disposition of dangerous dogs and/or dogs causing death or serious injury to humans or other animals.

http://www.animallaw.info/statutes/stustnst44_17_120.htm

Tennessee Statute 5-1-120

Tennessee Statute 68-8-107

http://www.animallaw.info/statutes/stustnst68_8_107.htm

Tennessee Statute 68-8-108

http://www.animallaw.info/statutes/stustnst68_8_108.htm

Tennessee Statute 44-17-101-505

These Tennessee statutes comprise the state's dog laws. Among the provisions include licensing requirements for companion animal dealers, laws concerning damage done by dogs, and the Tennessee Spay/Neuter Law.

http://www.animallaw.info/statutes/stustnst44_17_101_505.htm

Tennessee Statute (TCA) 44-8-408

It shall be unlawful for any person to allow an animal in the person's custody or a dog belonging to or under the control of such a person, or may be habitually found on premises occupied by that person, to go upon the premises of another or upon a public road or street. 

Davidson County Ordinance: 8.04.110 B. It is unlawful for any person to allow a dog belonging to him or under his control, or who keeps or harbors a dog, or who has it in his care, or acts as its custodian, or that may be habitually found on premises occupied by him, to run at large, and any such person whose dog is found to be running at large shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to the penalty and punishment set out in Title 1 of this code. 

You can be fined anywhere from $50 to $500 for allowing your dog run at large. 

Tennessee State Law (TCA) 68-8-114

It shall be unlawful for any person to own, keep, or harbor any dog or animal which does not wear a tag evidencing the required rabies vaccination. 

Davidson County Ordinance 8.04.070 Dog license tags issued pursuant to this chapter shall be supplied by the department of health, to be made available in its budget, out of the revenues of the metropolitan government. 

It shall be the duty of the owner to attach such license tag to a collar which shall be worn at all times by each dog licensed. 

The laws on the books regarding animals can be looked at two ways, what the State of Tennessee declares and also the particular ordinances that the various Counties have as well. 

Counties are free to enhance, or strengthen, our State laws, but they must abide by them. Counties cannot ignore State laws (such as the "at-large or leash" law). This information covers only the local ordinances of Nashville, TN (Davidson County).

http://www.fixyourpet.org/Law.htm

Animal Control and Adoption

http://www.montgomerycountytn.org/county/animal_control/regulations.htm

These ordinances comprise the cities of Germantown and Memphis, Tennessee's animal control provisions.

http://www.animallaw.info/statutes/stustnodgermantown_memphis.htm

http://www.animallaw.info/statutes/