Tonawanda, NY Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Leash limit
- Chain or leash no longer than six feet
- Confinement duty
- Enclosure, collar or chain at all times
- Coverage
- Town of Tonawanda, excludes Village of Kenmore
- Legal presumption
- Loose dog presumed an owner violation
- First impoundment fee
- $30, rising to $100 by third offense
- Penalty
- Up to $250 fine or 15 days jail
Summary
Outside the Village of Kenmore, a dog cannot leave its owner's property in the Town of Tonawanda unless it is on a chain or leash no longer than six feet and under a responsible person's control. Dogs must also stay confined by a secure enclosure or collar and chain at all times so they cannot stray. A dog found loose is presumed to be a violation.
It shall be unlawful for any owner of any dog in the town to permit or allow a dog to: ... Be off the premises of such owner and in the Town of Tonawanda, New York, exclusive of the Village of Kenmore, unless restrained by a chain or leash not exceeding six feet in length and under the control of a responsible person. Whenever a dog is found off the premises of the person owning, keeping, harboring or having the care, custody or control of such dog, not restrained as above provided, it shall be presumed that such person permitted or allowed such dog to be off such premises in violation of this section. Further, at all times, dogs must be confined in an enclosure that prevents escape, or firmly secured with a collar or chain or other device, so they are unable to stray from the premises and/or the control of a responsible person. ... Thirty dollars for the first impoundment of any dog owned by that person.
Full Breakdown
Section 71-5D(1) of the Town of Tonawanda Code makes it unlawful for a dog owner to let a dog leave the owner's premises anywhere in the town, except the Village of Kenmore, unless the dog is restrained by a chain or leash of no more than six feet and kept under the control of a responsible person. A 2019 amendment, Local Law No. 2-2019, added a companion duty that applies at all times, on or off the property: every dog must be confined in an enclosure that prevents escape, or secured with a collar, chain or similar device, so it cannot stray from the premises or its handler's control.
If a dog is found off its owner's property without the required leash or restraint, § 71-5D(1) creates a legal presumption that the owner permitted or allowed the dog to be loose, which shifts the burden to the owner to rebut it. The same subsection separately bars habitual loud barking, howling, crying or whining that disturbs another person's comfort, and bars a dog from biting, chasing or harassing a person or another domestic animal. Enforcement rests with dog control officers defined under Article 7 of the state Agriculture and Markets Law and with the town's peace officers, and a dog picked up loose is subject to the town's impoundment fees, starting at $30 for a first impoundment, on top of any court fine.
Violations & Fines
Letting a dog off its owner's property without a six-foot leash or equivalent restraint, or failing to keep it securely confined at all times, violates § 71-5D(1) and is punishable under § 71-10 by a fine of up to $250 or up to 15 days in jail, with each day treated as a separate offense. A loose dog seized by the town also draws impoundment fees starting at $30 for a first offense, $60 for a second within a year, and $100 for a third.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Town of Tonawanda have a leash law?
What if my dog gets loose accidentally?
How much does it cost to get an impounded dog back in Tonawanda?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tonawanda
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