State
New York dog laws: leash, licensing, bites and breed rules
New York bars breed-specific dangerous-dog programs, licenses dogs at 4 months through local clerks, and requires shelter for outdoor dogs.
Leashes and licensing
| Leash law | No general statewide leash law. Any municipality may adopt a local law on the keeping or running at large of dogs and their seizure (Agric. & Markets Law 122), and may order all dogs confined at night (121). |
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| Licensing | Dogs must be licensed when they reach 4 months old, through the town, city or county clerk (some villages), outside New York City, which has its own system. A rabies vaccination certificate is required with the application (Agric. & Markets Law 109). |
Health and bites
| Rabies vaccination | Every dog must be vaccinated against rabies: first shot by 4 months of age, a second within one year, then on the vaccine's schedule (Pub. Health Law 2141). The county health authority arranges confinement and observation, or euthanasia and testing, of an animal that exposes a person (2145). |
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| Bite liability | Mixed. The owner of a court-declared dangerous dog is strictly liable for medical costs of its injuries (Agric. & Markets Law 123(10)); other claims rest on the common law vicious-propensity rule, which the state law preserves (123(12)). |
| Dangerous dogs | A court process on complaint of an attack or threat (Agric. & Markets Law 123). A dangerous dog can be ordered evaluated, confined, leashed, muzzled or insured, and euthanized or confined for good if it caused serious injury or death. Owners also face civil penalties for negligent bites. |
Other rules
| Breed-specific rules | A municipal dangerous-dog program may not be less stringent than the state article and may not regulate dogs in a manner specific to breed (Agric. & Markets Law 107(5)). |
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| Tethering | No statewide tether length or hour limit. A dog left outdoors in inclement weather needs appropriate shelter and shade, and violations are fined $50 to $250 (Agric. & Markets Law 353-b). |
| Dogs in hot cars | No confining a companion animal in a vehicle in extreme heat or cold where it risks death or serious injury. Police, peace officers, EMS and firefighters may take it out; the statute names no protection for other people (Agric. & Markets Law 353-d). |
| Animal cruelty felony | Aggravated cruelty, intentionally killing or seriously injuring a companion animal with intent to cause extreme pain or in an especially depraved or sadistic manner, is a felony with up to 2 years in jail (Agric. & Markets Law 353-a). |
Main statutes
- Agric. & Markets Law 107
- Agric. & Markets Law 109
- Agric. & Markets Law 122
- Agric. & Markets Law 123
- Pub. Health Law 2141
- Agric. & Markets Law 353-a
- Agric. & Markets Law 353-b
- Agric. & Markets Law 353-d
This is a general summary of New York state law for dog owners. It is information, not legal advice. Reviewed November 2026.
Leashes and licensing
New York has no general statewide leash law. Any municipality may enact a local law on the keeping or running at large of dogs and their seizure, but it may not change the state's rabies vaccination and euthanasia rules (Agric. & Markets Law 122). A municipality may also order all dogs confined between sunset and one hour after sunrise (121). Leash rules therefore come from your town, city or village.
Outside New York City, the owner of a dog that reaches 4 months must immediately apply for a licence from the clerk of the town, city or county where the dog is harbored. The application needs a veterinarian's rabies certificate, or a statement that vaccination would endanger the dog. Licences run at least one year and are not transferable (Agric. & Markets Law 109). New York City has its own system.
Rabies vaccination
Every dog, cat and domesticated ferret must be actively immunized against rabies under the state health commissioner's regulations. Initial vaccinations are due no later than four months after birth, with a second within one year of the first, then on the vaccine's schedule (Pub. Health Law 2141). The county health authority investigates reports of possible exposures and arranges confinement and observation, quarantine, boosters, or euthanasia and testing (2145).
Dangerous dogs and bites
Anyone who witnesses an attack or threatened attack can complain to a dog control officer or police officer, and a municipal judge decides at a hearing whether the dog is "dangerous." The court can order evaluation and training, secure confinement, leashing by an adult 21 or older in public, muzzling, or liability insurance up to $100,000. It may order euthanasia or permanent confinement if the dog attacked without justification and caused serious physical injury or death, or had an earlier unjustified attack causing such injury. A dog is not declared dangerous if the victim was committing a crime on the owner's property or was tormenting or attacking the dog (Agric. & Markets Law 123).
An owner who negligently permits a dog to bite a person faces a civil penalty up to $400, and up to $1,500 for serious physical injury. The owner of a dangerous dog is strictly liable for the medical costs of injuries it causes. The statute leaves in place any common law or statutory claim for injury by a dog with a vicious propensity (123).
Breed-specific rules
A municipality may adopt its own program for dangerous dogs, but it may not be less stringent than the state article and may not regulate dogs in a manner that is specific to breed (Agric. & Markets Law 107).
Tethering and hot cars
New York has no statewide limit on how long or on what a dog may be tethered. A person with custody of a dog left outdoors in inclement weather must provide shelter appropriate to its breed, condition and climate, plus shade for a restrained dog. The fine is $50 to $100 for a first offense and $100 to $250 for later ones (Agric. & Markets Law 353-b).
A person may not confine a companion animal in a motor vehicle in extreme heat or cold where this places it in imminent danger of death or serious injury. If the operator cannot be located, police, peace officers, humane society agents, EMS personnel and firefighters may remove the animal and are not liable for good-faith actions (Agric. & Markets Law 353-d). The statute does not name other people.
Where to check your local rule
Cities, towns, villages and counties often set stricter leash, licence, number-of-dogs and noise rules. Check the clerk, animal control or local code. If a dog has bitten someone or been reported, talk to a lawyer or the animal-control office.
Sources
This is general information about state law, not legal advice. Cities and counties often set stricter rules, and laws change. For a particular situation, ask a lawyer or your local animal control office.
Profile last reviewed November 8, 2026