Down Town Pet
“Dog walkers, pet sitters & house cleaners serving Lower Manhattan.”
Get a License
theYour dog must be licensed by the City. And your dog’s license tag must be attached to his collar whenever he leaves your house (Health Code, Section161.04). To apply for a license, fill out this form. Or call the Department of Health’s Dog Licensing division at (212) 676-2100.
Get a Rabies Vaccine
theAll dogs over three months old must be immunized against rabies (New York City Health Code, Section 11.66).
Scoop the Poop
theDogs 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.
Use a Leash
theWhen 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.
Don’t be a Nuisance
theYou must prevent your dog from “committing a nuisance” in any public place (Health Code, Section 161.03). To report a dog that being a nuisance, call the Department of Health’s Central Information Line at (212) 442-9666.
Keep Your Dog Quiet
theYou 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
theYou 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). Based on evidence presented at the hearing, the Department of Health Commissioner can force you to:
a) register your “dangerous dog” with the City;
b) muzzle or lock up your dog;
c) take out a liability insurance policy of $100,000;
d) register your dog for an obedience class;
e) get him anti-bite training;
f) get the dog out of the City permanently; or,
g) have the dog put down (Administrative Code, Sections 17-344 and 17-345).
Report animal cruelty to the ASPCA at: (212) 876-7700, ext. 4450
