If you find a stray animal in New York, your legal responsibilities and the steps you should take depend on the type of animal, the circumstances, and local ordinances. Here’s what you need to know.
Legal Framework for Stray Animals in New York
New York law provides clear guidelines for the handling of lost, strayed, or homeless animals. In New York City, Chapter 115 of the laws of 1894 governs the protection of lost and strayed animals, as well as the rights of their owners. Statewide, municipal dog control officers (DCOs) and police officers have the authority to lawfully take possession of stray animals found in public places.
What Should You Do if You Find a Stray Animal?
Assess the Situation
If the animal appears injured or sick, contact the appropriate authorities immediately. For pets such as dogs, cats, or rabbits in New York City, you can call Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC) at (212) 788-4000 for assistance. If you find an injured wild bird, organizations like the Wild Bird Fund can provide guidance or direct you to a rehabilitation center.
Attempt to Locate the Owner
If the animal is friendly and approachable, check for identification tags or a microchip. Many shelters and animal control officers have microchip scanners and will use them to try to locate the owner.
Contact Local Animal Control or Shelter
If you cannot locate the owner, or if the animal is lost or stray, you should contact your local animal control or municipal shelter. In many municipalities, animal control officers will pick up stray animals and bring them to a shelter, where efforts will be made to reunite the animal with its owner.
Legal Requirements for Found Animals
You are generally not legally required to keep a stray animal in your home. However, if you choose to help, you should notify local authorities or shelters so they can maintain records and attempt to contact the owner. If you decide to keep the animal, you may be required to follow local licensing and identification requirements, especially for dogs.
What Happens at the Shelter?
Once a stray animal is brought to a shelter, the shelter must make a reasonable effort to locate the owner. This includes checking for identification, microchips, and publicizing the animal’s description. The animal is typically held for a specific period (often five days for unidentified dogs) before it can be made available for adoption, transfer, or other disposition.
If the owner comes forward and proves ownership, they can usually reclaim the animal by paying any applicable fees.
Your Legal Responsibilities
Report the Stray: Notify local animal control or a shelter if you find a stray animal, especially if you cannot locate the owner.
Do Not Abandon: Do not simply release the animal back into the environment; this could be considered abandonment.
Comply with Local Laws: If you decide to keep the animal, you must comply with local licensing and identification laws.
Humane Treatment: You are required to provide humane care if you take temporary custody of the animal while waiting for authorities to arrive.
Summary Table
| Step | Legal Responsibility/Action |
|---|---|
| Find a stray animal | Assess safety, check for ID |
| Animal is injured/sick | Call ACC or wildlife rehab center |
| Cannot locate owner | Contact animal control or shelter |
| Choose to keep animal | Comply with local licensing/ID laws |
| Animal at shelter | Shelter attempts to find owner; hold period |
| Owner found | Owner can reclaim animal with fees |
Finding a stray animal in New York comes with certain legal and ethical responsibilities. The best course of action is to contact local animal control or a shelter, who are equipped to handle the situation and work to reunite the animal with its owner. If you decide to keep the animal, you must follow local laws regarding licensing and identification.
Sources:
– https://law.justia.com/codes/new-york/lsa/
– https://aldf.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Animal-Protection-Laws-of-New-York-2018.pdf
– https://agriculture.ny.gov/animals/dog-control-officer-municipal-shelter-guide
– https://www.animalalliancenyc.org/need-help/injorph/
