Union, NY Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Requirement
- Adequate collar and leash, owner or responsible person, full control
- Written exception
- Dogs hunting in the company of a hunter
- Reach
- Town of Union, including Johnson City and Endicott villages
- First-offense fine
- $25 to $250, or up to five days
- Holding period
- Three business days unidentified, seven identified
- Enforcers
- Dog Control Officer, Park Rangers, peace officers
Summary
Under the Dog Control Law of the Town of Union, an owner cannot let a dog run at large unless the dog wears an adequate collar and leash, is accompanied by its owner or a responsible person, and stays under that person's full control. Dogs hunting with a hunter are the one written exception. Violations carry fines starting at $25 and seizure of the dog.
It shall be unlawful for any owner of any dog in the Town to: A. Permit or allow such dog to run at large, unless the dog is restrained by an adequate collar and leash and accompanied by its owner or a responsible person and under the full control of such owner or person. For the purpose of this article, a dog or dogs hunting in the company of a hunter or hunters shall be considered as accompanied by their owner and not required to be leashed while hunting.
Full Breakdown
Section 71-5(A) of the Town of Union Code makes it unlawful for any dog owner in the Town to permit a dog to run at large unless the dog is restrained by an adequate collar and leash, is accompanied by its owner or a responsible person, and is under the full control of that person. Article I, the Dog Control Law, states in § 71-1 that it protects the inhabitants of the Town of Union, including the Villages of Johnson City and Endicott, so the leash rule is not limited to the unincorporated area.
Section 71-4 defines RUN AT LARGE as being in a public place or on private lands without the knowledge, consent and approval of the owner of those lands. The one carve-out in § 71-5(A) covers a dog or dogs hunting in the company of a hunter or hunters, who count as accompanied by their owner and are not required to be leashed while hunting. Section 71-6 adds a separate rule for a female dog in heat: the owner cannot let her run at large or run loose on the owner's own premises, and running loose means being outside a house, closed garage, closed building or other enclosure, whether tied or not.
Enforcement runs through the Dog Control Officer, Deputy Dog Control Officers, Town of Union Park Rangers and peace officers, who issue and serve an appearance ticket on anyone they have reasonable cause to believe violated the article (§ 71-8). Any person who observes a violation can file a complaint under oath with a Town Justice naming the violation, the date, a description of the dog and the owner if known (§ 71-9). Under § 71-7, the Dog Control Officer or any peace officer seizes any dog found in violation of § 71-5A. A dog without identification is held for three business days and an identified dog for seven business days, and the owner redeems it by meeting the requirements of Article 7, § 117, of the Agriculture and Markets Law. The owner also pays the seizure fee set by Town Board resolution, the Town's veterinary expenses, and the reasonable cost of feeding and caring for the dog (§ 71-10).
Violations & Fines
A violation of § 71-5(A) prosecuted under the Penal Law draws a fine of not less than $25 but not more than $250, or imprisonment of not more than five days, or both. A second violation within five years raises the range to $50 to $500 or up to 10 days, and two or more earlier violations raise it to $100 to $750 or up to 15 days. A civil penalty action carries a minimum of $25, then $50 and $100 for repeats (§ 71-11).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my dog need a leash on my own land in Union?
Do hunting dogs have to be leashed?
What happens if the Dog Control Officer seizes my dog?
How do I report a loose dog?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Union
New York rules heatmap·Compare Union to another location·View the New York animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.