Letting a dog roam around the neighborhood?

Is there a town law/rule that if you have a dog, that you need to keep it on your property? Or are you allowed to let it roam around the neighborhood?

eta: would it annoy you if your neighbor let their dog roam all over and the dog came onto your property quite often?

Message edited 8/10/2010 11:41:59 AM.

Re: Letting a dog roam around the neighborhood?

I have a dog and that would totally annoy me..A. I wouldn't do it bc of ppl that don't want a dog on their property. B. Kids, you never ever know even with the most docile dog. C. my dog would go nuts seeing another dog on the property and g-d forbid a fight breaks out between the two...my dog is very skiddish around other dogs!!!

Re: Letting a dog roam around the neighborhood?

Here is what I found in the Town Code.

(3) Animals and birds: owning, possessing or harboring any pet animal or pet bird that frequently or for continued duration makes sounds that create a noise disturbance across a residential real property line. For the purpose of this section, a "noise disturbance from a barking dog" shall be defined as that created by a dog barking continuously or intermittently for 15 minutes.

[Amended 5-5-1998 by L.L. No. 11-1998, effective 5-11-1998]

Every person owning or harboring a dog shall make annual application for a license to the Town Clerk. Except as hereinafter provided, the applicant shall pay to the Town Clerk or Dog Control Officer, as the case may be, at the time of making application, the following fees:

[Amended 4-16-1996 by L.L. No. 16-1996, effective 4-22-1996]

(1) The fees associated with making an annual application for owning or harboring a dog in the Town of Brookhaven under § 23-3B shall be consistent with the fees that are propounded by § 110 of the Agriculture and Markets Law of McKinney's Consolidated Laws of New York.


**Make sure the loose dog is licensed**

The owner shall place and keep on each licensed dog a suitable collar, to which shall be securely attached the license tag issued for such dog. No dog shall be permitted to be at large without a collar and license tag. No license tag shall be placed on a dog other than the dog described in the license.

No person owning, harboring or having control or custody of a dog shall permit such dog, whether licensed or not, to:

(1) Run at large in the unincorporated areas of the Town of Brookhaven elsewhere than on the premises of such person or on the premises of another person with the consent of such other person, unless such person is engaged in hunting wild birds or animals with the aid of such dog during open seasons or unless such person shall take such dog afield for training and hunting.
(2) Be at any time on any sidewalk, street, highway, park or other public place in the unincorporated areas of the Town of Brookhaven unless fully controlled by the owner or some other person by means of a rope, leash or other similar device.
(3) Be taken into any establishment in the unincorporated areas of the Town of Brookhaven where food or food products are kept for sale if legible signs are displayed at each public entrance to such establishment that the entry of dogs is prohibited. No such dog shall be taken upon or permitted in any other establishment where food or food products are kept for sale unless such dog is effectively restrained by a rope, leash or other similar device.

Re: Letting a dog roam around the neighborhood?

I would say it's probably illegal. I know it is here. We have a leash law in our county - all dogs must be leashed unless it's at a dog park...

Our HOA also enforces the rule - but I've had issue with neighbors and their off leash dogs. Where I live people are lazy and if their dog is trained they think they don't have to walk them, they can just let them out - the best was my neighbor who was a cop yet he broke the law and let his dog out with no leash! When I said something to him he was arrogant like he was above the law because he was a police officer. It was so aggravating - thank god he moved!

My dog goes BISERK and if an unleashed dog approaches me my dog is going to bite it and if it's a small dog my dog will probably kill it I got into it with a woman last week. DH and I were walking our dog at night around 11:30, next thing you know two french bulldogs come running at us - DH had to pick up our dog (I can't pick her up, she is too big fo rme) and walk in the opposite direction - that way there wouldn't be a dog altercation. These two dogs CHASE my husband down the block antagonizing our dog which he is trying to carry so she won't go nuts. I of course screamed and cursed at the woman who just stood there. I had to pick up her dogs and push them back towards her. I think I launched one of them by accident and I felt really bad but she was just standing there as I was yelling. She did say sorry and she knows they are supposed to be leashed but she didn't think anyone was outside. I told her not my problem if my dog bites yours. My dog is on a leash.

If my dog sees another leashed dog she can get nutty but we can walk in the other direction. More than once off leashed dogs chase us, antagonzing my dog who becomes protective and vicious. So now I have to worry, when I am the one following the law! - it's not fair!

Sorry to go off on a rant but I can think of plenty of reasons why animals should be leashed when outside. Even a trained animal you NEVER know - especially with children outside. Even the animal's own safety - these people who let their dog's roam don't worry about them getting hit by cars? Or stolen? I don't get people!

Message edited 8/10/2010 12:45:51 PM.

Re: Letting a dog roam around the neighborhood?

I'm pretty sure they need to be leashed. Unless that's just in the city.

Re: Letting a dog roam around the neighborhood?

it depends.....growing up I had a neighbor who had the sweetest dog, and sometimes it would be found roaming.....I didnt/wouldnt mind bc I loved the dog.

Now a few doors the other way had the little scruffy dog that chased and bit people....yes, that bothers me.

It really depends on how much I like the dog or the owner.

Re: Letting a dog roam around the neighborhood?

I personally would not like it at all! I am not a fan of dogs and get scared quickly. In the case that there has been a stray one around, I am afraid to even walk to my car

Re: Letting a dog roam around the neighborhood?

It would bug me definitely - and I don't think it's allowed.

I was bit by a dog a few years ago and ever since then I am very skiddish, it scares me when I see them loose in the neighborhood.

I know that sometimes people's dogs can escape, and that is different story. But if they are letting them roam the neighborhood thats just not right, unless they have one of those invisible fence things and you know the dog won't leave the property...

Re: Letting a dog roam around the neighborhood?

Besides all the valid reasons for people mentioned above, how about the danger to the dog? Getting lost, hit by a car or attacked? If it's a male dog that isn't fixed, is it impregnating the other dogs in the neighborhood and causing more dogs to die in kill shelters?

It's never ok, in my opinion, and there are laws in probably every town regarding it. It's an irresponsible and neglectful owner that thinks it's ok.

Re: Letting a dog roam around the neighborhood?

Yes it would bother me. I have a dog and I don't let him off a leash for many reasons, let alone it being a law.

Re: Letting a dog roam around the neighborhood?

would you guys call the town on them???

Re: Letting a dog roam around the neighborhood?

no i don't agree with dogs walking about freely around town....

I will say... my dog is VERY well trained and when I walk her she goes on MY property without a leash. Sometimes she'll try to go to the neighbors and sniff but I immediately correct her and get her over to my property line...she knows the boundaries and rarely ever leaves our property. She's super friendly and never bites though. But I would never just let her roam all over town. she goes out...and I stand in the doorway watching her while she goes...she comes back when she's done and then when I'm fully dressed or not busy I go out with my lil poopy rake lol

Re: Letting a dog roam around the neighborhood?

Re: Letting a dog roam around the neighborhood?

YES it absolutely bothers me when dogs walk around the neighborhood unleashed, even if the owners are walking with them.

I hope I don't offend anyone, but I am TERRIFIED of dogs. I have a real phobia. To be honest, I think it's kind of selfish for a dog owner to let his or her dog roam free. Of course sometimes it happens by accident... but when I was growing up we had a neighbor who refused to leash his dog and it was a nightmare for me.

I wish dog owners would remember that not everyone is as crazy about dogs as they are.

Re: Letting a dog roam around the neighborhood?

This is a HUGE pet peeve of mine. Don't get me wrong, I love dogs and I grew up with 2 in my house. But they were always on a leash unless they got out of the house by accident. I've had neighbors who do this and it just drives me crazy. I know it's their pet and they love it but neighbors may not.

Re: Letting a dog roam around the neighborhood?

Forget legality- it's unsafe for the animal. My neighbors let their dog roam about all the time (and oddly, they have two dogs they walk and seem to take good care of, and this little chihuahua who they just let loose.) and if I can ever catch this dog, I am going to give him to my mother. I can't believe no one else has grabbed him yet.

Re: Letting a dog roam around the neighborhood?

A few years back these people in my neighborhood had a German Shepard that always "got out". I brought it to their house a few times until it was finally hit by a car and killed.
A few weeks ago I found a small Chi mix (no collar) and found out it was their new dog. If it happens again, I'm catching it bringing it to the shelter and telling them who it belongs to. Let them get fined, maybe they will be more careful.
Not only is it a nuisance to the people in the neighborhood but it's dangerous to the dog!

Message edited 8/11/2010 1:08:09 PM.

Re: Letting a dog roam around the neighborhood?

You can always call animal control and have them pick the dog up. Drives me nuts when people let their animals roam...i need to know where my pets are and that they are safe...don't get this mentality...

Re: Letting a dog roam around the neighborhood?

that would and has bothered me. I have a 2 year old jack russel terrier and when i walk him outside; on two occasions we have run into roaming doga (1 was a pit bul that got loose from their yard-very scary) (2nd time was an older dog the owners just let outside). Even though i have a dog of my own; i'm very scared of big dogs; and especially big dogs not on a leash that i don't know.

You just don't know some people's fears; and don't want to risk anything. PLus what if the dog got hit by a car? Not a good idea.

Re: Letting a dog roam around the neighborhood?

Re: Letting a dog roam around the neighborhood?

I can't believe this, but we used to let our dog do this when I was a kid.

I can remember at night, leaning out the front door shouting "Misty!!!", calling her to come home.

Terrible!

I would never do this if I had a dog-so unsafe for the dog and not fair to the neighbors.