Huntington, NY Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Town Code § 78-3(A) makes every owner, possessor or harborer of a dog, pet or other animal responsible for its conduct at all times and requires restraining and keeping it on the owner's own property, not letting it stray onto private or public property. Section 78-3(B) then bans letting a dog or other animal run at large on any public property, naming parks, roadways, highways, streets, walkways, pathways and sidewalks, and separately bans entering any public beach, swimming or wading area, pond, fountain, stream or organized athletics area with or without a leash, except in an authorized off-leash area or under § 159-20(D).

The Directors of Parks and Recreation and Public Safety can ban a specific dog from a park if it's a nuisance or a safety concern. Section 78-3(C) exempts law-enforcement work dogs under agency control. The Town Board may designate off-leash areas under § 78-4 after a public hearing; dogs there must carry a current Town license and proof of rabies vaccination, register with the Department of Public Safety Animal Control, and no more than 20 dogs are allowed in the area at once, with each handler limited to two dogs and required to keep voice control.

An Animal Control Officer or peace officer may seize a dog that is running at large or unlicensed under § 78-6; the owner can redeem it within 7 days (12 days if licensed) by paying $25 for a first impoundment, $35 for a second, $50 for a third or later, plus a $10-per-day boarding fee and a $15 rabies fee if the dog needs vaccination.