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How To Secure a Dog License
Your dog must be licensed by the City. Its license tag must be attached to his collar whenever he leaves your home (Health Code, Section161.04).
To apply for a license, click here and follow instructions: Or call the Department of Health's Dog Licensing division at (212) 676-2100.
Get a Rabies Vaccine
All dogs over three months old must be immunized against rabies (New York City Health Code, Section 11.66).
Clean Up!
Dogs owners are required to pick up after their dogs (Health Code, Section 161.03). To report dog owners who don't scoop their dogs' poop, call the City's Sanitation Action Center at (212) 219-8090.
Leash Law
When in public, your dog must be restrained by a leash or chain no longer than six-feet long (Health Code, Section 161.05). To complain about off-leash dogs, call the Department of Health's Central Information Line at (212) 442-9666.
No Barking
You must prevent your dog from causing "unreasonable noise" (Administrative Code, Section 24-222). To report a dog that barks unreasonably, call the City's Department of Environmental Protection at (718) 699-9811.
Prevent Attacks
You dog is not allowed to attack or assault people or pets. Nor is he allowed to fight other dogs (Administrative Code, Section 17-343).
Aggressive behavior may be excused if:
a) your dog attacks someone who breaks into your house;
b) your dog attacks someone who is tormenting, abusing or assaulting him;
c) your dog attacks someone who's trying to commit a crime;
d) your dog attacks in response to pain or injury;
e) your dog attacks to protect himself, his kennels or his offspring (Administrative Code, Section 17-347).
If your dog attacks or assaults a person or another pet, and if none of the above exceptions apply, the City may hold a hearing to decide if your dog is a "dangerous dog" (as defined by Administrative Code, Section 17-342).
To report a dog bite, call the Department of Health's Veterinarian Public Health division at (212) 676-2483. All threatening dogs should be reported to the Department of Health's Central Complaints division at (212) 442-1838.
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