What's happening
This bill defines requirements for hunting dogs and clarifies when they are considered under control and not running at large.
Why it matters
Clarifies legal protections for hunting dog owners. The bill specifies conditions under which hunting dogs are considered "under control," potentially protecting owners, trainers, and handlers from fines or penalties if their dogs are found away from them during lawful hunting or training activities.
Requires clear identification and licensing. Hunting dogs must wear a tag, collar, or device with contact information, and handlers must be able to demonstrate proper licensing under environmental conservation law, promoting accountability and responsible ownership.
Limits local enforcement actions in certain scenarios. Local authorities (dog control, police, etc.) cannot cite owners for dogs "running at large" if the dog and handler meet the bill’s outlined conditions, possibly reducing legal disputes between hunters and municipalities.
Standardizes requirements statewide. By explicitly defining when a hunting dog is "under control," the bill may reduce confusion and inconsistencies in enforcement of dog control laws across New York, particularly in rural or hunting-focused regions.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Allow Hunting Dogs Off-Leash
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to agriculture
- Referred to agriculture
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
579
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by Sen. HELMING -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Agriculture
AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to dogs engaged in hunting or training
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 122 of the agriculture and markets law is amended by adding a new subdivision 3 to read as follows:
3. For the purposes of this section a "hunting dog" is a dog that is being used for hunting or training purposes, in accordance with section 11-0923 of the environmental conservation law, is wearing a tag, collar or other device which includes contact information of the owner, trainer or handler, and is in compliance with section one hundred nine of this article. Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivisions one and two of this section or section one hundred thirteen of this article, a hunting dog may be deemed to be under the reasonable control of its owner, trainer or handler, and not be deemed to be running at large if at the time of recovery or seizure by a dog control officer, peace officer acting pursuant to their special duties or police officer, who is authorized by a municipality to enforce any local law or ordinance related to the keeping and running at large of dogs and the seizure thereof, (a) the hunting dog owner, trainer or handler is on property where hunting is permitted, and (b) the hunting dog was released from its confines by the owner, trainer or handler to hunt on property where hunting is permitted, and (c) that the hunting dog owner, trainer or handler can demonstrate that they are licensed to hunt with dogs in accordance with section 11-0923 of the environmental conservation law. If it can be so determined at the time of recovery or seizure of a hunting dog by a dog control officer, peace officer acting pursuant to their special duties or police officer, who is authorized by a municipality to
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01323-01-5
enforce any local law or ordinance related to the keeping and running at large of dogs and the seizure thereof, that the owner, trainer or handler and hunting dog are not in compliance with this section, then the owner, trainer or handler of such hunting dog may be charged with a violation of any local law or ordinance enacted pursuant to this section related to the keeping and running at large of dogs.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to dogs engaged in hunting or training
Purpose
The purpose of this bill is to clarify the relationship between the law regulating dogs that are legally hunting and local laws regulating dogs "running at large."
Summary of provisions
Section one amends Section 122 of the Agriculture and Markets Law to define hunting dogs as a dog used for hunting or training purposes, in accordance with section 11-0923 of the Environmental Conservation Law, wearing a tag, collar or other device which has contact information for the owner, and in compliance with licensing requirements. It states the circumstances in which a hunting dog may be deemed to be under the reasonable control of its owner. If a hunting dog is not in compliance with this section, a dog control officer may charge the owner with a violation.
Section two establishes an immediate effective date.
Justification
Current law does not make a distinction between dogs legally engaged in the act of hunting under Environmental Conservation Law and dogs running at large as regulated by local laws authorized under Agriculture and Markets Law.
When hunting dogs become separated from their owners, they often recon- nect within a short period of time. On some occasions, however, a hunt- ing dog appearing to be at large is recovered by a dog control or other law enforcement officer. Owners who are lawfully hunting should not be penalized for their dogs that may appear to be at large, but are legally hunting. This bill would define hunting dogs, clarify that dogs are currently legally authorized to hunt under State law, and that law offi- cers can determine if a dog is legally hunting or is in violation of local laws regulating loose dogs. The bill will not restrict munici- palities' ability to regulate loose or dangerous dogs or the licensing of dogs. This bill may help prevent the dog from unnecessarily entering the municipal animal shelter system if an officer finds a hunting dog and can locate the owner before taking the dog to the shelter.
Legislative history
2023-2024: S.5498 referred to Agriculture/A.2224 referred to Agriculture
2021-2022: A.288 referred to Agriculture
2019-2020: A.3730 referred to Agriculture
2017-2018: A.6860 referred to Agriculture/S.2900 referred to Agriculture
2015: A.7220-A/S.3440-A Veto 293
2013-2014: S.2688 passed Senate/A.7851 referred to Agriculture
2012: S.7136 advanced to Third Reading and committed to Ruleg/A.10085 referred to Agriculture
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.