Responsibilities
The Town of West Seneca Dog Control Officer is responsible for the enforcement of the regulations of Article 7 of the New York State Agriculture and Markets Laws. A list of duties include:
- Enforce Licensing
- Seize and impound dogs
- File and maintain records of the seizure and disposition of dogs
- Bring an action against any person who has committed any violation of Article 7 within the Town of West Seneca
- Receive complaints of dangerous dogs and commence dangerous dog proceedings
- Responsible to investigate, impound, care for and dispose of animals in accordance with State and
County, & Town laws and regulations.
- Investigates animal bites and quarantines dogs; transports sick or injured dogs to the animal
shelter/kennel.
- Works with area clinics to try to adopt out stray dogs that have not been claimed when they have been impounded as a stray and no owner is located.
- Investigates complaints of wild animals and takes appropriate action.
What dogs must be licensed?
Every dog owned or harbored in New York State for longer than 30 days must be licensed. The following are the only license exemptions:
- dogs under four (4) months of age not running at large
- dogs harbored in New York City (these dogs must be licensed by the NYC Department of Health)
- if a non-resident brings a dog into New York State for less than 30 days and the dog is licensed according to the resident's state licensing laws
- dogs confined to the premises of any public or private hospital, research institution or a Class A Dealer with a certificate of exemption from the Commissioner
Licensing Procedures:
- The West Seneca Town Clerk handles the licensing of dogs, click here for more licensing information and fee schedule.
- For guide dogs, war dogs, hearing dogs, police dogs or service dogs, satisfactory proof is required, such as a training certificate, etc. for licenses
In addition to the application, the owner will need:
- if the dog is spayed or neutered - a certificate from a licensed veterinarian or an affidavit from the owner showing that the dog has been spayed or neutered, unless this proof is already on file with the Town Clerk.
- All dogs four (4) months or older must have proof of a rabies vaccination signed by a licensed veterinarian or an exemption certificate stating why the life of the dog would be endangered by the vaccine.
After the application and appropriate certificates are filed and the license fee has been paid, the license will be validated for one (1) year. Each dog is assigned a permanent official identification number and issued a metal ID tag which is to be attached to the dog's collar.
NO refund will be made after a license has been validated.
To accommodate persons adopting dogs from shelters, the adopting person may either:
- obtain a license from the Town Clerk's office prior to the dogs release from the shelter or
- obtain a license from the clerk of the municipality where the shelter is located since the dog is presently harbored there at the time of adoption
Annual license renewal forms will be mailed from Albany directly to the dog owner by the Department of Agriculture and Markets.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If I allow my dog to roam on its own, is it classed as a stray dog?
Yes, according to the Town Code, any dog that is not effectively muzzled or restrained by a hand chain or hand leash in a public place without an owner/person in charge present, is a stray dog.
What happens to stray dogs that are picked up by the Dog Control Officer?
Any dog found running loose or at large could be picked up by the Dog Control Officer or a Police Officer. When a stray dog is picked up, the Dog Control Officer will scan the dog for a microchip, check its ears for a tattoo, and check for owner details on its collar.
If the owner is identified then the dog will be returned to its owner, and on some occasions, legal action taken against the owner if any laws have been broken. If the owner is not identified then the dog is taken to the West Seneca Animal Shelter.
On occasions where the dog is persistently straying and being picked up, the Dog Control Officer may seize the dog in accordance with State and/or Local laws.
If this happens you will have to pay a reclamation fee, plus any boarding and veterinary charges.
What should I do if I have found a dog?
You may contact the Dog Control Officer at (716) 823-2988 and he will arrange to pick up the dog from you as soon as is practical. Alternatively you may take the dog to the West Seneca Animal Shelter located at 582 Mineral Springs Road, West Seneca.
What should I do if I have lost my dog?
Contact the Dog Control Officer with the details, including type of dog, color, chip number (if applicable), NYS dog license number, unusual markings, age, and dog's name. You may also wish to contact the local SPCA Animal Shelter.
If your dog was lost close to a neighboring town/city border then you may also wish to contact the neighboring town/city Dog Control Officer.
How can I find out if my dog has been picked up?
Contact the Dog Control Officer at (716) 823-2988 or click here to see dogs currently held at the shelter.
Does my dog have to wear a collar and identity tag?
Yes. The law states that all dogs when in a public place must be wearing a collar and an identification tag with the owner's name and address inscribed upon it. The NYS license tag will also help the Dog Control Officer readily locate the owner.
What if my dog loses its NYS issued dog tag?
If your dog's NYS issued identification tag is lost, stop in at the Town Clerk's Office to complete a replacement order form. There is a $1.50 replacement charge and a new tag will be ordered. The replacement tags will be delivered to your house by U.S. mail in 6-8 weeks.
What do I do if I am bitten by a dog?
Flush the wound with plenty of water
Wash with soap
Attempt to identify the owner of the dog or where the dog lives
Seek medical attention
Notify the Dog Control Officer and Local Law Enforcement for filing a report.
Are dog bites a problem?
Dog bites are such a problem that the Humane Society calls it an epidemic. More than 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs each year in the U.S. and 10 to 20 people die annually as a result of dog bites. Most victims are children.
Dogs bite for a number of reasons, according to the Humane Society. They attack out of fear, to protect their territory or to establish their dominance over the person being bitten. Some dog owners mistakenly teach their dogs that biting is an acceptable form of play behavior. This leads to a number of infant deaths each year when dogs see them as "prey" and attack.
With so may factors contributing to dog bites, responsible dog owners need to take a number of actions to reduce dog bites. The Humane Society recommends that you:
Spay or neuter your dog. Dogs are three times more likely to bite if they haven't been spayed or neutered.
Train and socialize your dog so it's comfortable being around different types of people and situations. Accompanying your dog to a training class is an excellent way to learn proper training and socializing techniques.
Never play attack or tug-of-war games with your dog. Dogs don't always understand the difference between play and real-life situations.
Make your dog a part of the family. Dogs that spend a great deal of time alone in the backyard or tied to a chain often become dangerous. Well-socialized dogs rarely bite.
Be cautious with your dog if you don't know how it will react to a situation. When a letter carrier or other service person comes to your door, be sure your dog is safely restrained or confined in another room before opening the door. Don't allow your dog to bark, jump against the door or bite the mail as it comes through the mail slot. This will only teach your dog to bite the letter carrier.
If your dog exhibits behavior such as growling, nipping or biting - even occasionally - seek professional advice from your veterinarian, an animal behaviorist, or a skilled dog trainer.
Do wild animals carry rabies?
Yes! Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. The virus is present in the saliva and nervous tissue of a rabid animal.
Rabies is found in warm-blooded animals, frequently in raccoons, foxes, skunks and bats. All warm-blooded animal bites are considered possible exposure to the rabies virus. For this reason it has been mandated by the New York State Public Health Law that every animal bite be reported to the local health department.
A bite by any animal should be thoroughly cleansed with soap and water as soon as possible and medical attention should be sought immediately. The biting animal must be captured if it is a stray cat, dog or wild animal.
If your pet fights with a known or suspected rabid animal, the rabies virus in that animals saliva may remain alive on the pets skin or in its mouth for up to 3 hours. If it is necessary to handle the pet during this period wear gloves. Wash the pet with soap and water. Call the Erie County Environmental Health Services at (716) 683-6487.
A Reminder:
Keep your pets vaccinations up to date.
All dogs and cats are required by the New York State Public Health Law to be vaccinated for rabies
