Dangerous Dog Regulation and Protection Law

NYC Admin. Code tit. 17, ch. 3, subch. 6

in effect

NYC Admin. Code § 17-342 Definitions.

§ 17-342 Definitions. Whenever used in this subchapter, the following terms shall be defined as follows: a. "Person" means any individual, partnership, firm, joint stock company, corporation or employee thereof, or other legal entity, unless otherwise stated. b. "Owner" means any person possessing, harboring, keeping, having an interest in, or having control or custody of a dog. c. "Dangerous dog" means (1) any dog that when unprovoked, approaches, or menaces any person in a dangerous or terrorizing manner, or in an apparent attitude of attack, upon the streets, sidewalks, or any public grounds or places; or (2) any dog with a known propensity, tendency or disposition to attack when unprovoked, to cause injury or to otherwise endanger the safety of human beings or domestic animals; or (3) any dog which bites, inflicts injury, assaults or otherwise attacks a human being or domestic animal without provocation on public or private property; or (4) any dog owned or harbored primarily or in part for the purpose of dog fighting or any dog trained for dog fighting. d. "Severe injury" means any physical injury that results in broken bones or disfiguring lacerations requiring either multiple stitches or cosmetic surgery. e. "Unprovoked" means that the dog was not hit, kicked, taunted or struck by a person with any object or part of a person's body nor was any part of the dog's body pulled, pinched or squeezed by a person. Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1991/002.

NYC Admin. Code § 17-343 Acquisition of a dangerous dog prohibited.

§ 17-343 Acquisition of a dangerous dog prohibited. a. No person shall own or harbor any dog for the purpose of dog fighting, or train, torment, badger, bait or use any dog for the purpose of causing or encouraging said dog to attack human beings or domestic animals when not provoked. b. No person shall sell, offer for sale, breed, buy or attempt to buy any dangerous dog within the city of New York. Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1991/002.

NYC Admin. Code § 17-344 Humane destruction.

§ 17-344 Humane destruction. The commissioner may order the humane destruction of any dog that kills or causes severe injury to a human being. Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1991/002.

NYC Admin. Code § 17-345 Determination of a dangerous dog.

§ 17-345 Determination of a dangerous dog. The commissioner shall have the authority to make a determination that a dog is dangerous, as defined in subdivision (c) of section 17-342, upon the complaint of any person that a dog is dangerous. The Commissioner shall make such determination after a hearing, written notice of which shall be given to the complainant and to the owner of the dog, within fifteen days after seizure of the dog has been ordered by the department, where the owner's address can be reasonably ascertained by the commissioner. The hearing shall be held no less than ten days nor more than twenty days after such notice is mailed to the owner of the dog. At such hearing all interested persons shall have the opportunity to present evidence on the issue of the dog's dangerousness. In the event that the dog in question has caused severe injury to any person, the commissioner may impound the dog, at the owner's expense, pending the hearing and determination of the complaint. If, after the hearing, the commissioner determines that the dog is dangerous, he or she may order the owner to comply with one or more of the following requirements, in any combination thereof: a. Registration. The commissioner may order the owner of a dangerous dog to register such dog with the department. The application for such registration shall contain the name and address of the owner, the breed, age, sex, color, and any other identifying marks of the dog, the location where the dog is to be kept if not at the address of the owner and any other information which the commissioner may require. The application for registration pursuant to this paragraph shall be accompanied by a registration fee of twenty-five dollars. Each dog registered pursuant hereto shall be assigned an official registration number by the department. Such registration number shall be inscribed on a metal tag which shall be attached to the dog's collar at all times. The tag and a certificate of registration shall be of such form and design and shall contain such information as the commissioner shall prescribe and shall be issued to the owner upon payment of the registration fee and the presentment of sufficient evidence that the owner has complied with all of the orders of the commissioner as prescribed at the determination hearing. b. Muzzling or confinement. The commissioner may order the owner of a dangerous dog to muzzle the dog or confine the dog, at all times, indoors or in a proper enclosure for a dangerous dog which shall consist of a securely enclosed and locked pen or structure, suitable to prevent the entry of young children, or any part of their bodies or other foreign objects, and designed to prevent the animal from escaping. Such pen or structure shall have secure sides and prevent the dog from digging his way out through the bottom. The pen or structure shall also provide the dog with protection from the elements. The owner shall also conspicuously display a sign designed with a warning symbol approved by the commissioner which indicates to both children and adults the presence of a dangerous dog, on the pen or structure and on or near the entrance to the residence where the dog is kept. At any time that the dog is not confined as required herein, the dog shall be muzzled in such a manner as to prevent it from biting or injuring any person, and kept on a leash no longer than six feet with the owner or some other responsible person attending such dog. c. Liability insurance. The commissioner may order the owner of a dangerous dog to maintain, in full force and effect, a liability insurance policy of one hundred thousand dollars for personal injury or death of any person, resulting from an attack of such dangerous dog. d. Humane destruction. The commissioner may order the humane destruction of any dog that kills or causes severe injury to a human being, based upon the severity of the injury and the circumstances of the injury. e. Other remedies. The commissioner may order (i) that the dog be permanently removed from the city; or (ii) that the owner and the dog complete a course of obedience and/or anti-bite training approved by the commissioner. In the event that the owner or keeper of the dangerous dog is a minor, the parent or guardian or such minor shall be liable for all injuries and property damage sustained by any person or domestic animal caused by an unprovoked attack by such dangerous dog. Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1991/002.

NYC Admin. Code § 17-346 Confiscation and/or confinement of a dangerous dog.

§ 17-346 Confiscation and/or confinement of a dangerous dog. a. In the event that the owner of a dangerous dog violates any order of the commissioner as prescribed at the determination hearing, such owner's dog may be confiscated and impounded by the proper authorities upon the order of the commissioner. In addition, any dog determined to be dangerous shall be immediately confiscated by the proper authorities if the dog bites or attacks a human being and causes injury, or if the dog, at the sufferance of its owner, is engaged in or apparently engaged in a dog fight contest or is proximately near the area in which such a contest is being conducted. b. The owner of a dog determined to be dangerous by the commissioner, which has been confiscated pursuant to subdivision (a) of this section, may request the commissioner to conduct a hearing to determine if the dog should be returned to the owner. Upon such request, the commissioner shall provide for a hearing within five days. Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1991/002.

NYC Admin. Code § 17-347 Excused behavior.

§ 17-347 Excused behavior. No dog shall be declared dangerous pursuant to § 17-345 if the threat, injury, or damage caused by such dog was sustained by a person who, at the time, was committing a willful trespass or other tort upon the premises occupied by the owner of the dog, or was tormenting, abusing, or assaulting the dog, or has, in the past, been observed or reported to have tormented, abused or assaulted the dog, or was committing or attempting to commit a crime. Nor shall any dog be declared dangerous if it was responding to pain or injury, or was protecting itself, its kennels, or its offspring. If the trespass is determined to be of an innocent nature, the commissioner may, depending on the circumstances, and in accordance with the procedures set forth in section 17-345, find the dog to be dangerous. Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1991/002.

NYC Admin. Code § 17-348 Regulations.

§ 17-348 Regulations. The commissioner, within ninety days of the effective date of this subchapter and with the advice of the advisory board hereinafter established, shall promulgate such regulations as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this subchapter and to promote the health, safety and well-being of the public. Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1991/002.

NYC Admin. Code § 17-349 Dangerous dog advisory board. [Repealed] (Repealed L.L. 2023/068, 5/29/2023, eff. 6/28/2023) Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1991/002.

NYC Admin. Code § 17-350 Violations and penalties.

§ 17-350 Violations and penalties. a. Any person who violates any provision of this subchapter or any of the regulations promulgated hereunder shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine or not less than five hundred nor more than five thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or both. b. In addition to the penalties prescribed by subdivision a of this section, any person who violates any of the provisions of this subchapter or any rule or regulation promulgated hereunder shall be liable for a civil penalty of not less than five hundred nor more than five thousand dollars. c. Any fine or penalty assessed pursuant to this section may be reduced by any amount which is paid as restitution by the owner of the dog to the person or persons suffering serious physical injury as compensation for unreimbursed medical expenses, lost earnings and other damages resulting from such injury. Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1991/002.

NYC Admin. Code § 17-351 Enforcement.

§ 17-351 Enforcement. Authorized officers, veterinarians and employees of the department, and of the police department, and any other persons designated by the commissioner, shall be empowered to enforce the provisions of this subchapter or any rule or regulation promulgated hereunder. Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1991/002.

NYC Admin. Code § 17-352 Construction.

§ 17-352 Construction. The provisions of this subchapter shall not be construed to prohibit the department, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or any law enforcement officer from enforcing any other law, rule or regulation regarding the humane treatment of animals. Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1991/002.

NYC Admin. Code § 17-353 Exemptions.

§ 17-353 Exemptions. The provisions of this subchapter shall not apply to any federal, state or city law enforcement agency. Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1991/002.

NYC Admin. Code § 17-354 Severability.

§ 17-354 Severability. If any provision of this subchapter is adjudged invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, such judgment shall not affect or impair the validity of the remainder of this subchapter. Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1991/002.

Source: City of New York, Charter, Administrative Code and Rules (American Legal Publishing XML export, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/newyorkcity/latest/NYCadmin/0-0-0-28601Fetched: 10/24/2026