Mount Vernon, NY Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

City of Mount Vernon Code § 116-10 defines a 'dangerous dog' by conduct: one that approaches unprovoked in a vicious or terrorizing manner, has a known propensity to attack or endanger people or domestic animals, has actually bitten or attacked without provocation, or has been ordered confined under Agriculture and Markets Law § 121. A 'vicious dog' is one owned, harbored or trained for dog fighting or for attacking a person or animal on command. A footnote in the current code confirms that a former Subsection C, which had included pit bulls by breed in the 'vicious dog' definition, was repealed August 8, 2001, so no breed is singled out today.

Section 116-11 requires that any dangerous dog be securely muzzled and restrained on a chain with at least 300 pounds of tensile strength, not exceeding three feet in length, under the owner's direct control whenever off the confining property, and that the owner post a conspicuous warning notice on the property's perimeter. Section 116-12 bans selling, buying, possessing, renting, leasing or harboring a vicious dog outright, unless it was acquired before the article's 1988 effective date and duly registered. Owners of a pre-existing dangerous or vicious dog had 180 days from the effective date to register with the City Clerk under § 116-14, and § 116-15 requires at least $1,000,000 in liability insurance covering the dog before registration will be accepted, maintained continuously while the dog is kept.