Rochester, NY Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Basis
- conduct-based, no breed named
- Max leash
- 4 feet, dangerous dog
- Enclosure
- 8 ft secure sides required
- Liability coverage
- $100,000 minimum insurance/bond
- Fine
- up to $1,000, negligent owner
- Signage
- 2.5 inch letters minimum
Summary
Rochester's dangerous-dog law is conduct-based, not breed-based: no breed is named or banned. Once a dog is declared dangerous under § 31-2's behavioral definition, Code § 31-7 lets City Court order a leash no more than four feet long, a muzzle, an eight-foot secure enclosure, warning signage and $100,000 liability coverage, with fines up to $1,000 for noncompliance.
A. No person shall own or harbor a dangerous dog, unless such dog is at all times restrained and controlled so as to prevent the attack of or injury to any person, companion animal, domestic animal or farm animal, and so as to prevent such dog from putting any person in reasonable fear of immediate bodily harm, provided that such person is peaceably conducting himself or herself in a place where he or she may lawfully be. ... (2) Leash. No person having charge, custody, control or possession of a dangerous dog shall allow the dog to exit its kennel, pen or other proper enclosure unless such dog is securely attached to a leash not more than four feet in length. No such person shall permit a dangerous dog to be kept on a chain, rope or other type of leash outside its kennel or pen unless a person capable of controlling the dog is in physical control of the leash.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4935326; v86 updated 2026-06-16; through 06-16-2026).
Full Breakdown
Rochester defines "dangerous dog" in § 31-2 entirely by conduct: a dog that bites, attacks or menaces a person without justification, that severely injures or kills a domestic animal more than once off its owner's property, that is used for dog fighting, or whose bark has been surgically altered to prevent detection while guarding a premises. No breed is referenced anywhere in the definition. Complaints go to the Animal Services Center, which routes low-risk cases to the Dog Complaint Division and serious threats or repeat/bite cases to City Court under § 31-7(B) and (C).
Under § 31-7(A), an owner may not harbor a dangerous dog unless it is restrained and controlled at all times to prevent attacks or injury. 5 inches high reading "Dangerous Dog on Premises," and liability insurance or a surety bond of at least $100,000. Failure to comply with any ordered condition results in destruction of the dog and is itself a separate violation by the owner.
Violations & Fines
City Court may impose a monetary penalty of up to $1,000 on an owner found culpably negligent in restraining a dangerous dog (§ 31-7(D)(1)). Noncompliance with any court-ordered leash, muzzle, enclosure, signage or insurance condition results in the dog's destruction and constitutes a separate violation of § 31-7 by the owner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Rochester ban pit bulls or other specific dog breeds?
What must an owner do once their dog is declared dangerous?
What happens if an owner ignores a dangerous-dog restraint order?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rochester
How Rochester compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·New York rules heatmap·Compare Rochester to another location·View the New York animal ordinances overview
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