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Islip, NY Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

Few Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified June 2026

Key Facts

Local breed ban
None (preempted)
State preemption
NY AGM Sec. 107(5)
Dangerous-dog test
Behavior-based (NY AGM Sec. 108, 123)
Local at-large rule
Islip Town Code Sec. 12-2

Summary

Islip has no breed-specific dog ban, and it could not adopt one: New York's Agriculture and Markets Law bars any municipal dangerous-dog program from regulating dogs in a manner that is specific as to breed.

Nothing contained in this article shall prevent a municipality from adopting its own program for the control of dangerous dogs; provided, however, that no such program shall be less stringent than this article, and no such program shall regulate such dogs in a manner that is specific as to breed.

Source: Ag and Markets 107View official code

Full Breakdown

There is no Town of Islip ordinance restricting pit bulls or any other dog by breed, and state law preempts breed-specific legislation statewide. New York Agriculture and Markets Law Section 107(5) permits a municipality to adopt its own program for the control of dangerous dogs but provides that no such program may be less stringent than the state article and that no such program shall regulate such dogs in a manner that is specific as to breed. As a result, Islip regulates dogs by individual behavior rather than by breed: a dog is controlled only if it is allowed to run at large (Town Code Sec. 12-2), kept as a nuisance, or adjudicated dangerous under the behavior-based test in AGM Sections 108 and 123. Breed alone is never a lawful basis for a restriction in Islip.

Violations & Fines

Not applicable; a breed-specific local ban would be preempted and unenforceable under NY AGM Sec. 107(5). Dogs that bite or attack are instead handled as dangerous dogs under AGM Sec. 123 and Town Chapter 12.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are pit bulls banned in Islip?
No. Islip has no breed ban, and New York Agriculture and Markets Law Sec. 107(5) prohibits any municipal dangerous-dog program from regulating dogs in a manner that is specific as to breed, so a breed ban could not be enacted.
Can an Islip dog still be declared dangerous?
Yes, but based on behavior, not breed. A dog that attacks without justification or poses a serious imminent threat can be adjudicated dangerous under NY AGM Sec. 108 and Sec. 123 regardless of its breed.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Islip

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How Islip compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·New York rules heatmap·Compare Islip to another location·View the New York animal ordinances overview

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