Animal Ordinances in Mount Vernon, NY (2026)
3 verified animal ordinances for Mount Vernon, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Dog Leash Laws
Mount Vernon dogs may not run at large on any street, walk or public ground; City Code § 116-1 requires a collar or harness with an ID tag and a chain or leash no longer than six feet whenever a dog is off its owner's property. Loose dogs can be seized and impounded.
Mount Vernon Dog Leash and Restraint Law
Some RestrictionsCity of Mount Vernon Code § 116-1
No person being the owner or having custody and control of any dog shall permit or allow such dog to run or to be at large in the streets or on the walks or public grounds of the City unless such dog shall wear a collar or a harness and be effectively restrained by a chain or leash not exceeding six feet in length. The name and address of such owner or custodian shall be legibly written, printe...
Breed Restrictions
Mount Vernon regulates dogs by behavior, not breed: a former provision naming pit bulls as inherently 'vicious' was repealed in 2001. City Code Article III now bans vicious dogs outright and requires any dangerous dog to be muzzled, restrained on a 3-foot chain and posted with a warning sign.
Mount Vernon Dangerous and Vicious Dog Law
Significant RestrictionsCity of Mount Vernon Code §§ 116-10, 116-11
DANGEROUS DOG A. Any dog: (1) Which when unprovoked approaches any person upon the streets, sidewalks or on any public grounds or places in a vicious or terrorizing manner or in any apparent attitude of attack; (2) With a known propensity, tendency or disposition to attack unprovoked, to cause injury or to otherwise endanger the safety of human beings or domestic animals; (3) Which bites, infli...
Exotic Pets
Mount Vernon bans keeping any wild, ferocious or dangerous species as a pet anywhere in the City, limiting such animals to a licensed research lab, a bonded commercial animal dealer or a licensed circus. Venomous snakes cannot be sold, given away or kept by anyone at all, no exceptions.
Mount Vernon Wild Animal and Snake Ban
Heavy RestrictionsCity of Mount Vernon Code §§ 116-8, 116-9
No person shall keep an animal of a species which is wild, ferocious, fierce, dangerous or naturally inclined to do harm in any place other than: A. A laboratory operated pursuant to § 504 of the Public Health Law. B. An establishment of a commercial dealer in animals having protective devices which are adequate to prevent such animals from escaping or injuring the public, or a circus having su...
Looking for Westchester County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Mount Vernon city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Westchester County →