Suffolk County, NY Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Max continuous tether time
- 1 hour per 12-hour span
- Overnight tethering
- Banned 11 p.m.–6 a.m.
- Minimum tether length
- 15 feet
- Cold-weather cutoff
- Banned below 32°F
- First-offense fine
- $250 plus possible jail
Summary
Suffolk County caps outdoor dog tethering at one hour in any twelve-hour span and bans it overnight, with added rules on collars, tether length, and extreme weather.
No person shall tether, leash, fasten, secure, restrain, chain or tie a dog to any stationary object outdoors for more than one continuous hour in any continuous twelve-hour period between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.
D. No person shall tether, leash, fasten, secure, restrain, chain or tie a dog to any stationary object outdoors between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
E. No person shall tether, leash, fasten, secure, restrain, chain or tie a dog to any stationary object outdoors if the dog is:
(1) Less than six months of age;
(2) Sick or injured; or
(3) A nursing mother whose offspring is present.
F. Multiple dogs shall not be tethered or restrained in such a manner that they are able to come into contact with one another at any point in time while restrained.
G. No person shall tether, leash, fasten, secure, restrain, chain, tie, pen or otherwise confine outdoors a dog when:
(1) The temperature is below 32° F.;
(2) The temperature is above 90° F.;
(3) The National Weather Service has issued a heat or wind chill advisory, watch or warning; or
(4) Conditions are not appropriate due to the breed, physical condition and climate, as established pursuant to New York State Agricultural and Markets Law § 353-b.
Full Breakdown
County law bars tying, chaining, or restraining a dog outdoors for more than one continuous hour in any twelve-hour period between 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m., and bans outdoor tethering entirely from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Choke, pinch, or prong collars are prohibited, tethers under 15 feet or thicker than 1/4 inch chain links are barred, and dogs under six months, sick, injured, or nursing may not be tethered outdoors at all. Tethering is also banned below 32°F, above 90°F, or during a Weather Service heat or wind chill advisory. A town or village law regulating dog restraint overrides this article unless it expressly allows the county rule to keep applying.
Violations & Fines
Unclassified misdemeanor: $250 and/or up to 5 days jail for a first offense, $500/15 days for a second, $1,000/30 days for a third or later offense, with possible forfeiture of the animal on a third conviction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I chain my dog outside all day in Suffolk County?
Does this county rule apply inside every Suffolk town?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Suffolk County
New York rules heatmap·Compare Suffolk County to another location·View the New York animal ordinances overview
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