Colonie, NY Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Leash length limit
- 8 feet maximum
- At-large defined by
- § 79-2
- First-offense fine
- up to $200 (§ 79-6C(1))
- Repeat-offense fine
- up to $350, then $500/15 days
- Enforced by
- Animal Control Officers, Colonie Police
- Dog license required
- at 4 months old (§ 79-3)
Summary
A dog off its owner's premises in Colonie must be on an adequate collar and leash no longer than eight feet, or under the immediate control of a responsible person 16 or older, or it is legally running at large under Town Code § 79-6A(1).
Any owner or custodian of any dog to permit or allow any dog to run at large unless such dog is restrained by an adequate collar and leash not exceeding eight feet in length or unless accompanied by and under the immediate control of its owner or a responsible person over 16 years of age who is able to control the animal.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4902401; v37 updated 2026-05-28; through 05-28-2026).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 79's Article I defines a dog as "at large" in § 79-2 whenever it is off its owner's or custodian's premises and not under the immediate control of the owner, custodian, or a responsible person over 16 who can control it, with narrow carve-outs for guide dogs, hearing dogs, police work dogs, and dogs actively hunting with landowner permission. Section 79-6A(1) turns that definition into an offense: it is a violation for an owner or custodian to let a dog run at large unless it is restrained by an adequate collar and leash not exceeding eight feet, or is accompanied by and under the immediate control of the owner or a capable person 16 or older.
The same section also treats excessive barking beyond 15 minutes, property damage, harassing pedestrians, chasing vehicles, and running at large while in heat as separate violations enforced by the Town's Animal Control Officers and Police Department under § 79-7. Every dog over four months old must also be licensed under § 79-3, with the license renewed annually through the Town Clerk. 5.
Violations & Fines
A first at-large or leash violation under § 79-6C is punishable by up to $200 if prosecuted under the Penal Law, rising to up to $350 for a repeat violation within five years and up to $500 or 15 days' imprisonment (or both) for a third violation within that period; the Town may instead pursue the same tiers as a civil penalty.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Colonie
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