New York requires dog owners to license pets that are age four months or older. The dogs must be vaccinated for rabies. Localities also have their own pet-related laws.
New York City Pet Laws
You must leash your dog in public places in New York City or in open and unfenced areas abutting public places. The leash or chain can not be more than six feet. Violators may be fined between $200 and $400.
If a pet becomes a nuisance on any public or private premises that are used in common by the public or an area that abuts a public place, you could face a fine between $200 and $400.
You must pick up after your dog in public places. That includes sidewalks, gutters and streets. Violators face a $250 fine.
Dog owners can bring their four-legged friends onto the subway, but they must be in a crate or container, unless they are a service dog.
Buffalo Pet Laws
If you live in a single- or double-family home in Buffalo, you can have up to three dogs age four months and older. If you live in a home with three or more units, you can have one dog per household. Having more dogs would be classified as a kennel.
You have 30 days to get a dog license for any dog that is age four months or older. Buffalo dog license fees aren’t charged for guide, hearing, service, war, working search, detection, police or therapy dogs.
Dogs must be restrained by a leash when off your property. You must keep your pets in a clean and sanitary environment, provide adequate food, water and space, and remove any feces left by your dog when out in public.
You must prevent your dog from frequent or long-continued barking, howling or other noise. Failure to do so could result in a fine of $15 for a first violation, $25 for a second violation and $50 for a third or subsequent violation.
Any dog age four months and older that is impounded or seized may be subject to mandatory spaying or neutering before being returned to you or adopted to another person.
Rochester Pet Laws
You can own up to four dogs age four months or older in Rochester if you live in a building with three or fewer dwelling units. You can have only one dog if you live in a building with four or more dwelling units.
When you are off your property, your dog must be under your control and on a leash or in a fenced in area so your dog cannot leave the premises.
You should not allow your dog to howl or bark continuously in Rochester, so that it’s heard beyond your property line:
- For more than five minutes between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m.
- For more than 15 minutes between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m.
- For a shorter duration than the above timeframes, but on more than five occasions within a 10-day period.
You must restrict your dog from damaging other properties or entering public buildings, restaurants, stores and cemeteries unless they’re a guide, hearing, service or police work dog. You are required to remove any feces left by your dog in public.
You cannot take your dog to fireworks displays, Charlotte Pier or cemeteries in Rochester.
Yonkers Pet Laws
You must keep your dog on a leash when in public in Yonkers. That leash or chain should not exceed 6 feet.
A dog may be deemed a nuisance if it injures someone, damages property, knocks over garbage, chases people or vehicles, or habitually barks or howls.
You are required to remove any feces left by your dog in public. Female dogs in heat are not allowed in any unfenced areas or a lot abutting any street, park or public space.
If your dog is deemed dangerous, you must get a dangerous animal license from Rochester. That includes a $50 application fee on top of the required license fee. You will be required to have proof of liability insurance of at least $100,000.
Dangerous dogs should be kept on a leash no more than four feet when in public. You must post a clearly visible sign on your property warning any person who enters your property that a vicious animal is present. You cannot own two or more dangerous dogs for breeding or any other purposes.
