The Common Council hereby finds that the harboring and possession of dogs within the City of Albany requires the regulation thereof in the public interest, convenience and necessity.
[Amended 2-5-1995 by Ord. No. 24.102.95]
Pursuant to the authority granted to the City of Albany by Article 7 of the New York Agriculture and Markets Law, it shall be unlawful for any owner of, or any person harboring, any dog in the City of Albany to permit or allow such dog to:
A. 
Run at large. All dogs are to be restrained by an adequate collar and leash, except that within the parks in the City of Albany, not including Hoffman Park, all dogs shall be so restrained or under the control of its owner or responsible person over 12 years of age. For the purposes of this section, "control" shall mean within sight of the owner and subject to immediate restraint. Any female dog in heat shall be confined to the premises of the owner or person harboring such dog during this period.
[Amended 9-20-2010 by Ord. No. 80.81.10]
B. 
Engage in howling or barking for a period of 10 minutes, or howls or barks intermittently for 1/2 hour or more regardless of whether the dog is physically situated in or upon private property.
[Amended 12-19-2011 by Ord. No. 53.101.11]
C. 
Cause damage or destruction to property or commit a nuisance upon the premises of a person other than the owner or person harboring such dog.
D. 
Chase or otherwise harass any person in such a manner as reasonably to cause intimidation or to put such person in reasonable apprehension of bodily harm or injury.
E. 
Habitually chase or bark at motor vehicles.
F. 
Be within 25 feet of a playground or any area containing playground equipment.
G. 
Be at any City of Albany special event or festival or special event held in a City park.
H. 
Be in Foley Field at Hoffman Park during the months of August through November of each calendar year so as to accommodate the youth sports season.
[Added 10-5-2020 by Ord. No. 18.91.20]
[Added 2-5-1995 by Ord. No. 24.102.95]
The provisions in § 115-2A, F and G shall not apply to dogs which are assisting people with disabilities, an official part of a performance or police or other governmental agency dogs.
[Added 2-18-1988]
Pursuant to § 124 of the New York State Agriculture and Markets Law, the City of Albany's dog control officers, peace officers acting pursuant to their special duties or police officers who are authorized to assist in the enforcement of Article 7 of the New York State Agriculture and Markets Law may provide for the issuance, pursuant to the Criminal Procedure Law, of an appearance ticket, a uniform appearance ticket or a uniform appearance ticket and simplified information for any violation of the provisions of this article.
[Amended 5-19-2008 by Ord. No. 25.42.08]
Pursuant to Article 7 of the New York State Agriculture and Markets Law, a violation of this article shall be prosecuted in a civil action in the name of the City of Albany and shall be deemed an offense against the article, and any person convicted of such violation shall be liable for a civil penalty of not more than $35 for each violation, except that when such person was found to have violated this article or any prior versions thereof within the preceding five years, the penalty may not be more than $65, and when such person was found to have committed two or more such violations of this article or any prior versions thereof within the preceding five years, the penalty may not be more than $125.