New York City maintains strict leash requirements under NYC Health Code § 161.05, requiring all dogs to be restrained by a leash no longer than six feet when in public spaces. However, New York State has no statewide leash law. Instead, leash requirements vary by municipality under NY Agriculture & Markets Law § 122, which delegates authority to local governments to regulate dogs running at large. Violations are enforced by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Department of Parks and Recreation, Department of Sanitation, and NYPD in New York City, and by local animal control officers and police departments throughout the rest of the state.
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Understanding these rules matters for both public safety and legal liability. In 2024, homeowners' insurance companies paid out $1.56 billion nationally for dog-related injury claims, with New York leading the nation at an average claim cost of $110,488. The 2025 Flanders v. Goodfellow decision fundamentally changed liability in New York by allowing victims to pursue negligence claims even when a dog has no prior history of aggression, making leash law compliance more critical than ever for dog owners.
Understanding Leash Laws in New York City
New York City maintains comprehensive, citywide leash requirements that apply uniformly across all five boroughs. These rules provide clear guidance to dog owners and consistent enforcement standards throughout the city.
NYC Leash Length and Control Rules
Under NYC Health Code § 161.05, dogs must be restrained by a leash or other restraint not more than six feet long when in any public place or in any open or unfenced area abutting a public place. This six-foot maximum is a strict citywide standard that applies to sidewalks, streets, parks, apartment buildings, and all other public spaces throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island.
The requirement applies to all dogs regardless of size, breed, or temperament. Dogs must wear a collar with a currently valid license tag bearing the license number whenever in public. Service dogs actively engaged in training, police work dogs on duty, and service dogs assisting individuals with disabilities may be exempted from leash requirements in certain circumstances.
Off-Leash Areas and Dog Runs in NYC
New York City provides designated off-leash areas and fenced dog runs where dogs may exercise unleashed. These include specially designed, fenced dog runs located in parks throughout the five boroughs, where dogs can play freely under owner supervision.
Additionally, dogs may be off-leash in certain unfenced park areas during specific hours: from the time the park opens until 9:00 AM, and from 9:00 PM until the park closes. During these off-leash hours, owners must carry proof of current dog licensure and current rabies vaccination, and must provide this documentation on demand to enforcement officers.
The NYC Department of Health retains authority to limit or eliminate off-leash use in specific areas based on epidemiologic evidence indicating an increase in preventable off-leash dog bites during off-leash hours, or if there is a risk of zoonotic disease transmission. During beach season (May 1 to October 1), only service dogs are allowed on the sand at City public beaches, though leashed dogs are permitted on boardwalks and promenades at designated beaches.
Even in designated off-leash areas and during off-leash hours, owners remain legally responsible for maintaining control of their dogs and preventing aggressive behavior toward people or other animals.
NYC Leash Law Enforcement and Penalties
Violation notices for failure to comply with leash requirements may be issued by authorized employees, officers, or agents of the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the Department of Sanitation, the Department of Parks and Recreation, or the NYPD. Enforcement is active and coordinated across multiple city agencies.
Penalties for leash law violations in NYC include fines ranging from $50 to $200 for initial violations, classified as a "violation" under the Penal Law, which can be punished by imprisonment of up to one day or a fine of not more than $200. More serious violations in parks may be classified as misdemeanors punishable by imprisonment of up to 20 days or a fine of not more than $1,000. First-time offenders often pay fines in the $50-$100 range depending on the circumstances and whether they plead guilty by mail or appear in person.
These penalties are separate from any civil or criminal liability that may arise if an unleashed dog injures a person or another animal.
How Leash Laws Work in Other New York Counties
Unlike New York City's uniform citywide leash law, New York State has no statewide leash requirement. Instead, the authority to regulate dogs running at large is delegated to local municipalities under NY Agriculture & Markets Law § 122, which provides that "any municipality may enact a local law or ordinance upon the keeping or running at large of dogs and the seizure thereof."
This creates a patchwork of local leash laws that vary significantly from one municipality to another across the state. Dog owners traveling between jurisdictions must familiarize themselves with the specific leash requirements of each locality they visit.
Examples of Local Municipal Leash Requirements
Local leash laws throughout New York State demonstrate wide variation in their requirements:
Albany: Dogs must be restrained by an adequate collar and leash and must be under the control of an owner or an individual over the age of 12 when on public property in the city.
Schenectady: Dogs must be restrained by an adequate collar and a leash that is 8 feet or less in length when out in public, accompanied by a responsible individual over the age of 12.
Many upstate and suburban municipalities have enacted their own local ordinances with varying leash length requirements (ranging from 6 to 10 feet), age requirements for handlers, and definitions of "running at large." Some localities may not have leash laws at all, relying instead on general "running at large" prohibitions that may only apply in certain areas or circumstances.
Dog owners should contact their local municipal clerk's office, town or village hall, or animal control department to obtain copies of applicable local ordinances. Many municipalities now post their local codes online, making it easier to research requirements before traveling with your dog.
State Lands Exception
While New York has no general statewide leash law, it does impose leash requirements on certain state-owned environmental conservation lands. Under 6 NYCRR § 51.7, no owner or trainer of a dog shall allow that dog to enter lands subject to Environmental Conservation Law without being leashed and under immediate physical control at all times, except when dogs are being legally used for hunting, training in designated areas, participating in licensed field trials, or with written permission of the Regional Manager.
This state-level requirement ensures protection of wildlife, other recreational users, and sensitive ecological areas on state conservation lands.
NY State Framework and Local Ordinances
New York's Agriculture and Markets (AGM) Law Chapter 69 Article 7, through its various sections, contains all provisions relevant to responsible dog ownership within the state. While the state establishes a comprehensive framework for dog licensing, dangerous dog designations, and owner liability, it deliberately leaves leash law enforcement to local control.
Dog Licensing
AGM Chapter 69, Article 7 § 109 requires owners to have their dogs registered locally and vaccinated for rabies. This applies to all dogs over 4 months old. Licenses are issued for at least one year, but no longer than the expiration date of the current rabies vaccination. Upon transfer of dog ownership, the new owner must immediately apply for a new license. Some municipalities may establish purebred dog licenses, collecting a surcharge of at least $3 to fund animal population control efforts.
Spay and Neuter Laws
Through AGM Chapter 69, Article 7 § 116, municipalities are allowed to establish and operate facilities that provide spaying and neutering services for dogs and cats owned by New Yorkers. Such facilities require notarized consent from registered owners before any surgery is done on their pets.
Dangerous Dog Laws
The AGM Chapter 69, Article 7 § 123 is a provision that outlines how to proceed with any incidents of dog attacks in public spaces. It gives victims and animal control officers the right to legally pursue liable dog owners. Under this provision, municipal judges may order dangerous dogs to:
- Be neutered or spayed
- Be microchipped
- Undergo behavioral evaluation and training
- Be kept in secure confinement
- Be leashed and muzzled in public
Dog owners may appeal the "dangerous dog" determination within the next 30 days. However, if a dog has caused serious injury or death without justification, the judge may order humane euthanasia or permanent confinement.
Liable owners are subject to civil penalties and strict liability for medical costs if their dog bites a person, with higher penalties if the dog was previously determined to be dangerous. If a dangerous dog kills a person without justification, the owner may be found guilty of a misdemeanor.
Do Dogs Always Need To Be Leashed In New York?
The answer depends on where you are in New York State. In New York City, yes, keeping dogs on a leash while in public spaces is mandatory except in designated off-leash areas during permitted hours. Across the rest of New York State, leash requirements vary by municipality in accordance with Agriculture and Markets Law Article 7, Section 122.
Dogs on private property are not required to be leashed, provided they are properly confined and not a threat to others. Even on private property, owners must exercise reasonable care to prevent their dogs from escaping and injuring people or other animals.
Exercising responsible ownership is a civil responsibility of every pet owner. This includes understanding and complying with local leash laws, maintaining current vaccinations and licensing, and taking appropriate precautions to prevent injuries to people and other animals.
NYC vs Rest of New York
| Requirement | New York City | Rest of New York State |
|---|---|---|
| Leash Required? | Yes, in all public spaces | Varies by municipality |
| Maximum Leash Length | 6 feet | Varies (typically 6-10 feet where required) |
| Off-Leash Areas | Designated dog runs + parks during specific hours (opening-9 AM, 9 PM-closing) | Varies by municipality |
| Enforced By | DOHMH, Parks Dept, Sanitation, NYPD | Local animal control, police |
| Violation Penalties | $50-$200 fine (up to $1,000 for park misdemeanors) | Varies by local ordinance |
| How to Report | Call 311 or contact DOHMH Animal Bite Unit | Contact local animal control or police |
| License Required | Yes, with visible tag | Yes, with visible tag |
| State Lands Exception | NY conservation lands require leashing regardless of local rules |
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Liability If Your Dog Is Not Leashed And Bites Someone
A crucial and often misunderstood aspect of New York dog law is that violating a leash law does not automatically create strict liability when an unleashed dog causes injury to a person or property. This distinguishes New York from states like Massachusetts, which impose strict liability on dog owners for injuries caused by unleashed dogs.
Historically, under New York's "one-bite rule," a dog owner was not liable for injuries caused by an unrestrained dog, even when the owner violated a local leash law, unless the dog owner knew or should have known that the dog had prior vicious propensities or had a tendency to run out after bicycles, cars, or pedestrians. This meant that a bicyclist or runner injured by an unleashed dog chasing them into traffic generally could not recover damages unless they could prove the dog had exhibited similar dangerous behavior before.
The 2025 Game-Changer: Negligence Standard
In April 2025, the New York Court of Appeals fundamentally altered this landscape in Flanders v. Goodfellow, rejecting the strict requirement that victims prove a dog's vicious propensities before recovering compensation. The Court held that dog bite victims can now bring ordinary negligence claims against dog owners, focusing on whether the owner took reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable harm rather than whether the dog had a documented history of aggression.
Under this new negligence framework, courts examine whether the owner acted with reasonable care in controlling the dog, considering factors such as keeping the dog leashed or secured, repairing broken gates or fences, supervising the dog around children or visitors, and responding appropriately when the dog shows emerging signs of aggression. Negligence-based liability now exists alongside New York's traditional strict-liability rules for dogs with known vicious propensities, expanding pathways to compensation for injured victims.
This means that while a leash law violation alone still does not create automatic strict liability in New York, it can now serve as strong evidence of negligence in a claim brought under the new standard. An owner who violates a local leash law and whose dog injures someone may face liability if the violation demonstrates a failure to use reasonable care, even if the dog never bit anyone before.
Dog Bite Penalties Under New York Law
New York Agriculture & Markets Law § 123 establishes uniform penalties throughout the state, including New York City, for dog owners whose dogs bite and injure people or other animals. These penalties apply regardless of whether a leash law was violated, focusing instead on the severity of the injury and whether the dog was previously determined to be dangerous.
Civil Penalties for Dog Bites
The owner of a dog who, through any act or omission, negligently permits his or her dog to bite a person, service dog, guide dog, or hearing dog causing physical injury shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $400, in addition to any other applicable penalties.
The owner of a dog who negligently permits his or her dog to bite a person causing serious physical injury shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $1,500, in addition to any other applicable penalties. This penalty may be reduced by any amount paid as restitution to the victim for unreimbursed medical expenses, lost earnings, and other damages.
Criminal Penalties for Dangerous Dogs
If a dog owner negligently permits his or her dog, which had previously been determined to be dangerous under the statute, to bite a person causing serious physical injury, the owner shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $3,000, or by a period of imprisonment not to exceed 90 days, or by both fine and imprisonment, in addition to any other applicable penalties. This fine may also be reduced by restitution paid to the victim.
If a dog previously determined to be dangerous kills or causes the death of any person who is peaceably conducting himself or herself in any place where he or she may lawfully be, regardless of whether the dog escapes without fault of the owner, the owner shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor in addition to any other penalties.
Strict Liability for Medical Costs
The owner or lawful custodian of a dangerous dog shall, except in circumstances involving justification or defense against serious crimes, be strictly liable for medical costs resulting from injury caused by such dog to a person, companion animal, farm animal, or domestic animal. This strict liability applies only to medical costs. Additional damages such as pain and suffering, lost wages, and property damage require proof of negligence or knowledge of vicious propensities under traditional or the new negligence standard.
Do Leash Laws Prevent Dog Bites?
There is limited data proving that dog leash regulations directly correlate to the reduction of dog bite incidents. Some challenges in establishing any conclusive claims may be attributed to the following factors:
- Not all dog bite incidents are reported, making it difficult to have a complete picture of the issue
- Reporting methods and requirements have changed over time, further complicating data analysis
- Actual reports are submitted to various respective locales, all having different mandates in place
- The specific context of the incident (leashed vs. unleashed) is not always recorded in reports
Still, many animal control officers and public health officials believe that leash laws contribute to the reduction of dog bite incidents. At the same time, some studies suggest that proper dog socialization and training, along with responsible ownership, may play a larger role in preventing dog bites than leash laws alone.
Dog bite statistics reveal the scope of the problem. Approximately 4.5 million dog bites occur annually in the United States, with approximately 395,000 emergency department visits reported in 2022, the highest number on record. New York City alone reports approximately 3,300 dog bite incidents annually, with data showing a 14% increase in reported incidents from 2018 to 2023.
Children face the highest risk, with those aged 5 to 9 years experiencing the highest incidence rate at 199.3 emergency department visits per 100,000 population. Children seen in emergency departments are more likely than older persons to be bitten on the face, neck, and head (73% versus 30%).
The financial burden is substantial. In 2024, homeowners' insurance companies paid out a total of $1.56 billion nationally for dog-related injury claims. New York leads the nation with an average dog bite claim cost of $110,488 in 2024, reflecting both the severity of incidents and the state's victim-friendly legal environment following the 2025 Flanders decision.
What Should You Do If You Are Bitten By A Dog In New York?
If you have been attacked by a dog, it is important to take the following steps:
1. Seek medical attention immediately
Dog bites can cause serious injuries and infections. Go to the nearest hospital or urgent care center for treatment. Even minor puncture wounds can lead to serious infections like cellulitis, abscesses, bone infections, and in severe cases, sepsis or organ failure.
2. Document the incident
Take photos of your injuries and the location where the attack occurred. Write down details of the incident, including the date, time, and any witnesses. Photograph wounds from multiple angles before medical providers clean and dress them. Continue photographing injuries daily to document healing, infection, or scarring.
3. Identify the dog and its owner
Get the dog owner's name, address, and contact information. Ask for proof of the dog's rabies vaccination. If the dog's vaccination status is unknown or the owner cannot be located, you may need rabies post-exposure prophylaxis immediately. Rabies is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear.
4. Report the attack
Contact your local animal control agency or police department to report the incident. In New York City, you can report through 311, the DOHMH Animal Bite Unit, or local police. NYC Health Code Section 11.03 requires that all animal bites be reported within 24 hours. This creates official documentation and triggers dangerous dog investigation proceedings under Agriculture & Markets Law § 123.
5. Contact the dog's owner
Inform the owner about the attack and request their cooperation in providing necessary information and covering your medical expenses. However, do not give recorded statements to insurance adjusters until after consulting with an attorney.
6. Consult with a personal injury attorney
If you have suffered significant injuries or believe the dog owner was negligent, consult with an attorney who specializes in dog bite cases to discuss your legal options. The 2025 Flanders decision expanded victim rights, but cases require careful proof of negligence, damages, and identification of all liable parties before statutes of limitations expire.
The Porter Law Group handles dog bite cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney's fee unless we recover compensation from a settlement or verdict.
FAQs
What is the leash law in NYC?
Under NYC Health Code § 161.05, all dogs must be restrained by a leash or other restraint not more than six feet long when in any public place or in any open or unfenced area abutting a public place. This requirement applies uniformly across all five boroughs to sidewalks, streets, parks, apartment buildings, and all other public spaces.
Dogs may be off-leash in designated fenced dog runs and in certain unfenced park areas during specific hours: from the time the park opens until 9:00 AM, and from 9:00 PM until the park closes. During off-leash hours, owners must carry proof of current dog licensure and current rabies vaccination.
Violations can result in fines ranging from $50 to $200, with more serious park violations classified as misdemeanors punishable by fines up to $1,000.
Is there a New York State leash law?
No, New York State has no statewide leash law. Instead, NY Agriculture & Markets Law § 122 delegates authority to local municipalities to enact their own laws and ordinances regulating dogs running at large. This creates a patchwork of varying requirements across the state.
Each county, city, town, and village may establish its own leash requirements, leash length limits, handler age requirements, and penalties for violations. Dog owners must research and comply with the specific requirements of each municipality where they walk their dogs.
The only statewide leash requirement applies to state-owned environmental conservation lands under 6 NYCRR § 51.7, which requires dogs to be leashed and under immediate physical control except when legally hunting, training in designated areas, or participating in licensed field trials.
How long can a dog leash be in NYC?
In New York City, dog leashes must not exceed six feet in length when dogs are in public spaces. This is a strict citywide standard under NYC Health Code § 161.05 that applies uniformly across all five boroughs.
The six-foot maximum applies to sidewalks, streets, parks, apartment buildings, and all other public areas. There are no exceptions based on dog size, breed, or temperament. Service dogs actively engaged in training, police work dogs on duty, and service dogs assisting individuals with disabilities may be exempted in certain circumstances.
In designated off-leash areas and during permitted off-leash hours in unfenced park areas, dogs do not need to be leashed, but owners must maintain control and carry proof of current licensure and rabies vaccination.
How do I report an unleashed dog in NYC?
To report an unleashed dog in New York City, you can:
Call 311: Dial 311 from any phone to report a dog off-leash in violation of NYC Health Code requirements. Provide the location, description of the dog and owner, and details of the violation.
Contact DOHMH Animal Bite Unit: If the unleashed dog has bitten someone or acted aggressively, contact the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Animal Bite Unit directly. All animal bites must be reported within 24 hours under NYC Health Code Section 11.03.
Contact NYPD or Parks Department: If you witness an unleashed dog in a park or on city streets, you can also contact the NYPD or NYC Parks Department enforcement officers, who have authority to issue violation notices.
File online: Visit portal.311.nyc.gov to submit a complaint about an unleashed dog through the city's online reporting system.
Enforcement of leash laws is coordinated across multiple city agencies, including the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Department of Parks and Recreation, Department of Sanitation, and NYPD.
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At the Porter Law Group, our team of proven personal injury lawyers delivers ideal results. We take pride in helping families rebuild after unfavorable circumstances. We operate on a contingency basis, meaning you do not need to pay us anything unless we win your case. Through this approach, we can better support families during their times of need.
The 2025 Flanders v. Goodfellow decision fundamentally expanded victim rights in New York by allowing negligence claims even when dogs have no prior history of aggression. This makes leash law violations more significant than ever, as failure to properly leash and control a dog can now serve as strong evidence of negligence, even in "first bite" cases.
Dog bite law in New York is now more favorable to victims, but cases still require careful proof of negligence, damages, and identification of all responsible parties. Insurance companies often move quickly to minimize payouts, and critical evidence such as surveillance footage, witness memories, and animal control records can disappear without prompt legal representation.
A New York dog bite lawyer can investigate the attack, obtain medical and governmental records, analyze whether landlords, property owners, or employers share liability, and make sure all filing deadlines under New York's three-year statute of limitations are met.
If you or a loved one has been a victim of negligence, please reach out to us for a non-obligatory free case evaluation. You can also contact us at 833-PORTER9 or info@porterlawteam.com to schedule a consultation.
