Int. No. 783
By Council Members Brewer, Hanif and Louis
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to dog bite incidents
Be it enacted by the Council as follows:
Section 1. Subchapter 6 of chapter 3 of title 17 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 17-345.1 to read as follows:
§17-345.1 Dog bite incidents. a. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
311 operator. The term “311 operator” means an operator of the existing 311 citizen service center, which generally provides callers with information and referrals to appropriate resources and services, including referral to emergency services as necessary.
Designated citywide languages. The term “designated citywide languages” has the same meaning as set forth in subdivision a of section 23-1101 of the administrative code of the city of New York.
Dog bite incident. The term “dog bite incident” means an incident where a dog inflicts physical injury as defined in section 108 of the agriculture and markets law to a person, or to a companion animal or pet as defined in section 350 of the agriculture and markets law, without provocation on public or private property.
Dog park. The term “dog park” means a fenced or otherwise enclosed area either existing independently, or forming a part of a larger park, that has been designated by the commissioner of parks and recreation as an off-leash dog area or other area for the exclusive use of dogs and their handlers.
Officer. The term “officer” means a member of the police department of the city of New York, at any rank.
b. Dog bite reporting. The department shall develop and post on its website an online form where members of the public may report alleged dog bite incidents to the department. Such form shall allow for the input of information including, but not limited to, the date and time of a dog bite incident, the address or location of such incident, a description of such incident, and any information regarding witnesses to such incident.
c. Training. The department, in collaboration with the mayor’s office of animal welfare, shall develop and conduct an annual training regarding dog bite incidents and the laws pertaining to dangerous dogs as set forth in subchapter 6 of this title and chapter 69 of the agriculture and markets law. Such training shall be provided, at minimum, to officers, 311 operators, and department employees as determined by the commissioner, to promote awareness among training participants regarding requirements and best practices to address or respond to a reported dog bite incident. Such training shall include, at minimum, instruction regarding the following:
1. The prevalence of dog bite incidents in the city;
2. How to respond to reports of dangerous dogs, dog bite incidents, and dog attacks on persons, or on companion animals or pets as defined in section 350 of the agriculture and markets law; and
3. How to access existing dangerous dog reports or records maintained by the department.
d. Campaign. The department, in collaboration with the mayor’s office of animal welfare and the department of parks and recreation, shall conduct a public awareness campaign to inform members of the public about dog bite incidents and resources available to alleged victims of such incidents. Such campaign shall include the development and distribution of physical materials, as well as publication of materials on the department’s website and the website of the department of parks and recreation. Such campaign shall include, at minimum, information regarding how an individual may report a dog bite incident. Such materials shall be made available in the designated citywide languages and posted on the department’s website, the website of the department of parks and recreation, and the 311 citizen center website. The department of parks and recreation shall post signage in dog parks with information on dog bite incidents and how to report any such incident if a person believes they are a victim of such incident, in specific locations determined by the commissioner of parks and recreation. Such posted information shall include a QR code containing a link to report an alleged dog bite incident using the form developed and published pursuant to subdivision b of this section.
§ 2. This local law takes effect 120 days after it becomes law.CP
LS # 19647
3/4/2026 2:09 PM