Unleashed Dog

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Call 911 to report a dog that is currently threatening or injuring someone.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Alert

The Health Department is currently reviewing all complaints and responding primarily to those that pose an imminent threat to public health or safety.

Non-emergency complaints will be logged and responded to when regular operations resume.

All dogs in public places in New York City must be leashed. The leash can’t be longer than 6 feet.

You can report an unleashed dog in a park, an apartment building, and other public places.

Dogs must be leashed in public parks unless they are in a dog run or a designated off-leash area.

You can report an unleashed dog in a City park or report a park where dogs are often unleashed.

Areas for Dogs in Parks

Some areas in City parks allow dogs to be off-leash. Dogs in off-leash areas must have dog licenses and their owners must carry proof of the dog's rabies vaccination.

Dog runs are large, fenced-in areas where dogs can exercise unleashed. You can bring up to three dogs at a time to a dog run.

In addition to dog runs, certain unfenced park areas allow dogs to be off-leash from the time the park opens until 9 AM and from 9 PM until the park closes.

During beach season, only service dogs are allowed on the sand at City public beaches, but leashed dogs are allowed on the boardwalks or promenades at Orchard, Coney Island, Brighton, Midland, South, and Manhattan beaches. From May 1st to October 1st, dogs are not allowed to enter any bathing facility, including City beaches.

Learn about rules, regulations, and safety tips for dogs in City parks.

What You Need

  • The dog owner’s name, address, and apartment number
  • The days and times when the dog is usually unleashed

You can report an unleashed dog in a common area of an apartment building.

What You Need

  • The dog owner’s name, address, and apartment number
  • The days and times when the dog is usually unleashed

You can report an unleashed dog on a New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) public housing property to the NYCHA Customer Contact Center.

  • Agency: New York City Housing Authority
  • Division: Maintenance Hotline
  • Phone Number: (718) 707-7771
  • Business Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week
  • Staff is available at all times to handle emergencies and schedule routine maintenance repairs for Mon - Fri: 6:00 AM - midnight. Automated assistance is also available in Mandarin, Russian, and Spanish.

To learn more about the rules for owning a pet in a NYCHA building, go to the NYCHA Pet Policy page.

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