Utica does not ban any specific dog breed. New York state law preempts breed-specific bans, so control is based on a dog's behavior. A dog of any breed that attacks or threatens people can be declared dangerous under NY Agriculture and Markets Law Sec. 121, triggering strict controls.
New York Agriculture and Markets Law Sec. 107(5) prohibits municipalities from enacting breed-specific legislation, so Utica has no pit bull or other breed ban. Instead, dangerous-dog rules apply to any dog regardless of breed. Under Sec. 108, a dangerous dog is one that without justification attacks and injures a person or behaves so a reasonable person would believe it poses a serious imminent threat. A court finding of dangerous can require spay/neuter, microchipping, secure confinement, muzzling, and leashing by an adult on public premises.
Owners of a dog declared dangerous face civil penalties up to $400, or up to $1,500 for serious injury; repeat serious bites can be a misdemeanor with fines up to $3,000 and jail.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Utica, NY
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Utica, NY
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Utica, NY
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Utica, NY
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Utica, NY
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Utica, NY
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See how Utica's breed restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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