An animal retaining livestock chute device suspends lateral retaining panels over a ground surface to prevent fouling of the device during use. The device includes a frame elongated between a first end and a second end. Each of the first end and the second end is open for livestock to pass through the frame. A first lateral panel has an upper end coupled to the frame and a bottom end free and positioned in spaced relationship to a bottom of the frame. A second lateral panel is positioned opposite the first lateral panel wherein the first lateral panel and the second lateral panel define a path through the frame between the first end and the second end. The first lateral panel is movable laterally towards the second lateral panel for engaging and restraining an animal in the path.
