Syracuse, NY Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Leash definition
- Restraint not more than 6 feet long
- Exemptions
- Guide dogs, sentry dogs, owner's own property
- Unleashed-dog fine
- Up to $500.00 or 15 days jail
- Seizure authority
- Dog control officers and peace officers
- Unlicensed redemption window
- 3 days after seizure
- Enforcing division
- Syracuse Police Dept. Patrol Services
Summary
Syracuse requires every dog to be leashed unless it is on property the owner owns or leases, or on other property with permission. A leash is defined as a securely fastened restraint no more than six feet long, and an unleashed dog can draw a fine of up to $500.00 or 15 days in jail.
Sec. 16-27(A) At large—Means any dog that is unleashed and on property open to the public or is on private property not owned or leased by the owner of the dog unless permission for such presence has been obtained... Sec. 16-27(O) Leash—A securely fastened restraint not more than six (6) feet long held by a responsible person. ... Sec. 16-28(B) Every dog shall be leashed unless on property owned or leased by the owner of the dog or unless permission for such presence on other property has been obtained. This subsection shall not apply to guide dogs or sentry dogs. ... Sec. 16-30.4(c) Any violation of this article relative to unleashed dogs shall be deemed an offense and shall be punishable by a fine in an amount not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00) or by imprisonment not to exceed fifteen (15) days or by both fine and imprisonment.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 41).
Full Breakdown
Revised General Ordinances § 16-28(B), part of the Dog Control Ordinance in Article 8 of Chapter 16, states that no person shall keep, harbor or maintain a dog in the city unless every dog is leashed, except when the dog is on property owned or leased by its owner or on other property with the owner's permission; guide dogs and licensed sentry dogs are exempt from the leash requirement. Section 16-27(O) defines a leash as a securely fastened restraint not more than six feet long held by a responsible person, while § 16-27(A) defines 'at large' as any dog unleashed on property open to the public or on private property the owner doesn't own or lease without permission, carving out exceptions for a guide dog actually leading a blind person, a police work dog on duty, and a dog accompanied by its owner while actively hunting or training on unposted (or permitted posted) land.
on school days without written consent from school authorities, per § 16-28(C). Dog control officers and any peace officer are authorized under § 16-30(A)(3) to seize any dog found unleashed, whether or not it is licensed or tagged, except on the owner's own property or with permission elsewhere. 00 fee. 2.
Violations & Fines
Unleashed-dog violations carry their own enhanced penalty under § 16-30.4(c)-(d): a fine up to $500.00, imprisonment up to 15 days, or both, or an alternative civil penalty up to $500.00 recovered by the city. Other Article 8 violations (unrelated to leashing) draw a lower $25.00-$100.00 tiered fine escalating with repeat offenses within five years, per § 16-30.4(a)-(b).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Syracuse require dogs to be on a leash?
How long can a dog leash be in Syracuse?
What is the fine for an unleashed dog in Syracuse?
Can Syracuse seize my dog for being off-leash?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Syracuse
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