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Animal Control

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1. How do I license my dog?

To license your dog, you need to print out and fill in the East Hampton Town Dog License Application or obtain an application from the Town Clerk’s office. Submit application along with a valid copy of your dog’s current rabies vaccination certificate and the license fee ($12.50 for altered dogs or $20.50 for unaltered dogs). The license does need to be renewed yearly, notices for renewal are sent out approximately 30 days prior to the license expiration date by the Town Clerk’s Office. East Hampton Town Code requires all dogs 4 months of age and old to be licensed (East Hampton Town Code, Chapter 86 Section 5A(1). Once licensed, each dog receives a license tag, such tag must be affixed to the dog’s collar at all times as per New York State Agriculture and Markets.

Dog License Form (PDF)

2. Is there a leash law?

There is no leash law, however, there is a Running At Large ordinance (Chapter 86, section 5B(1) of the East Hampton Town Code). A dog is considered to be at large if all 3 of the follow criteria are met:
- The dog is without supervision
- The dog is A) Causing damage to property, B) Causing physical harm to persons, or C) Creating a nuisance within the town
- The dog is on property open to the public; or on private property not owned or leased by the owner of the dog; unless permission for such presence has been obtained

3. What happens to dogs that are picked up by Animal Control?

Dogs that are seized by an Animal Control officer and impounded are brought to a boarding facility within the town. Once at the boarding facility, healthy, uninjured dogs are given a Bordetella vaccination (prevents against Kennel Cough, a highly contagious respiratory infection), scanned for a microchip, assigned a stray number and a kennel. Dogs that are sick or injured when seized are given immediate medical attention by a licensed veterinarian upon arrival to the boarding facility, if the dog’s health allows they too are given a Bordetella vaccination, scanned for a microchip and assigned a stray number and kennel. The dogs will remain boarded until claimed by an owner or once they have reached 10 days of being impounded.

In the event a dog is not claimed, the dog is then evaluated by The Animal Rescue Fund of The Hamptons (ARF) to determine if the dog is safe for adoption. If the dog is not suitable for adoption (for reasons such as aggression, or bite, etc) then the dog is humanely euthanized. All efforts, including but not limited to, social media, microchipping, ID tags, license tags, and report histories are used in an attempt to locate owners of stray dogs.

4. Can I bring my dog to the beach?

Yes, however, dog owners must always keep their dogs under control, clean up after their pet and keep dogs out of protected nesting areas; there are also seasonal rules as to where and when dogs are permitted on the beach. Dog owners should also be sure to read the signage at each beach entrance before traversing the beach with their dog as well as the East Hampton Town Code Chapter 91 Sections 4L (1) through (5) and the East Hampton Village code chapter 77 sections 4N(1) and (2).

For additional information, please see the Beach Dog Restrictions page.

5. I lost my dog, what should I do?

Immediately contact the Animal Control office 324-0085, if an officer is not available to take your call, please leave a detailed message about your dog including breed, color, sex, temperament, location where lost or last seen, if the dog was wearing a collar with ID along with your name, phone number and address. Alternate places to notify: ARF 631-537-0400, WLNG (radio station) 631-725-2300 and social media, there are a couple of local Facebook pages that are dedicated to getting the word our regarding lost/found pets, 2 of the pages are: Bonac Pets (East Hampton, NY Pets) and Lost and Found Pets of East Hampton.

6. My dog has been impounded by Animal Control; how do I get my dog back?

Contact the Animal Control Office immediately 631-324-0085. If the office is closed, or if there is no answer, please leave a message. We will return your call as soon as we return to the office. We recommend making an appointment with an Animal Control Officer in order to redeem and pick up your dog as the Animal Control Officers are frequently out responding to calls, and not always readily available in the office. When redeeming or claiming your dog please have the following paperwork ready to expedite the process, 1. Proof of ownership, 2. Proof of current dog license or current copy of your dog’s rabies certificate, 3. Personal identification, 4. Payment (cash or local check) for redemption fees and/or licensing. Credit/Debit cards are not accepted.

7. How much are the redemption fees?

1st offense in a 12-month period $25 ($15 per day boarding)
2nd offense within a 12-month period $100 ($40 per day boarding)
3rd or subsequent offense within a 12-month period $150 ($50 per day boarding)

Please note fees are based by owner, not by dog.

8. What if my dog’s rabies vaccine is expired and my dog is impounded?

If your dog does not have a current rabies vaccine, the dog can be vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian at our boarding facility prior to the dog’s release, fees for such vaccination will be paid by dog owner directly to the veterinarian upon pick up of the dog.

9. Are there any laws about dogs barking?

Yes, there is a barking ordinance, 86-5B(2). It is defined in the Town Code under Chapter 185: Noise Owning, possessing or harboring any pet animal or pet bird that frequently or for continued duration makes sounds that create a noise disturbance across a residential property line. For the purpose of this section, “noise from a barking dog” shall be defined as that created by a dog barking for 15 minutes. 185.1(5b)

10. I have problems with wildlife, can Animal Control help?

No, in order to handle wildlife, you must be properly trained and licensed to do so. We recommend calling the Wildlife Rescue Center 631-728-4200 for injured wildlife (free services); Dell Cullum for nuisance or injured wildlife 631-377-6555 (paid services) or The Riverhead Marine Research program for any concerns with marine life, such as beached or sick seals 631-369-9829 (free services).

11. Does Animal Control handle calls regarding cats, either domestic or feral?

We do keep a record of lost/found cats that are reported to our office, however, we do not impound cats nor do we take in surrendered cats. We can assist during office hours only with sick or injured cats if we are able to get a hold of them and transport to a local veterinarian’s office for medical attention.

12. What do I do if I find a dog after hours?

An Animal Control officer will only respond after hours if the dog is in need of immediate medical attention or if the dog is a danger to the public. If this is the case, please call the East Hampton Town Police Department 631-537-7575 and ask them to page the Animal Control Officer on call.

13. Where can I take my dog in an after-hours emergency?

You can take your dog to East End Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center, located at:
67 Commerce Drive
Riverhead, NY 11901

It is open 7 days a week, 24 hours, and can be contacted at 631-369-4513.

14. Does Animal Control offer any low cost spaying, neutering or vaccinations?

Currently, Animal Control does not have a clinic that provides low cost vaccinations or spay and neuter services. For additional information about local providers, see the Spaying, Neutering or Vaccinations page.

15. How do I file a dog related complaint?

Please submit the online complaint form here, or contact the Animal Control office directly 631-324-0085.

Animal Control Complaint Form

16. How do I have a summons filed against a dog owner regarding a dog complaint?

Please contact the Animal Control office directly for information on summonses 631-324-0085.

17. What do I do if I have been bitten by a dog?

Victims of dog bites are urged to contact the East Hampton Town Police Department to file a police report, if warranted. Their direct number is 631-537-7575. Victims can also contact Animal Control 631-324-0085 to report the bite and have summonses issued if violations exist. Otherwise, for health concerns related to a dog bite, questions should be directed to the Suffolk County Department of Health Services at 631-843-0421.