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Preventing Dog Bites

Preventing dog bites is a shared responsibility of all New Yorkers, including dog owners. Learn how to protect people and pets from dog bites, safely approach a dog, and how to respond to a dog bite.

Tips for Dog Owners

Dog owners have a responsibility to prevent their dogs from biting people and other animals. Preventing dog bites starts with choosing a dog that fits your lifestyle. Consider the physical demands of the dog, including once it is full size, and the dog’s personality. Then follow the tips below.

Keep Your Dog Healthy

Your dog may bite if they are unwell, sick, or injured, so follow these tips to keep it healthy and happy:

  • Dogs should have their first rabies shot by 4 months of age, with boosters at recommended intervals after. Check with your veterinarian to make sure your pet is up to date with other vaccines.
  • Speak to your veterinarian about behavioral and medical benefits of spaying or neutering your pet.
  • Pay special attention if your dog is sick or injured and call your veterinarian if necessary.
  • Provide your dog with daily exercise, wholesome food, and lots of love and attention.

Train Your Dog and Understand Its Behavior

Teach your dog basic commands and appropriate, safe behavior when around people and other animals:

  • Socialize your dog with different people, pets, and new places to help your dog become familiar with a variety of situations and learn to behave appropriately.
  • Use praise and treats to reward your dog for good behavior.
  • Learn to recognize your dog’s warning signs that can indicate your dog may bite, and pay attention to your dog’s body language.
    • Get professional help, such as from an animal behaviorist, if you need help understanding or managing your pet’s behavior, or if your dog is showing aggressive or fearful behavior.

Create and Maintain a Safe Environment

Prevent or avoid situations where your dog may be teased or threatened:

  • Keep your fence and gate secure so your dog cannot escape and post signs that a dog is on the premises for delivery persons and other visitors. Do not allow your dog to behave aggressively behind a fence when people walk by.
  • Avoid highly excitable games, such as tug of war, if your dog becomes aggressive during this play, because it may lead to a bite.
  • Provide a quiet retreat space for your dog, especially when you have visitors.
  • Make sure no one bothers your dog while eating or sleeping.
  • Monitor your dog and remove your dog from any situation if it becomes nervous or fearful.
  • Maintain a safe environment around children.
    • Never leave a baby or child alone with your dog.
    • Ensure your dog is comfortable around children before allowing it to be around children and supervise all interactions.

Follow the Law

New York City has several laws in place to keep dogs and New Yorkers safe and healthy:

  • Get a dog license. The New York City Health Code requires that dogs have a license tag attached to the collar when out in public. A license can help reunite you with your dog if it gets lost.
  • Walk your dog on a leash that is no more than 6 feet in length as required by the law. Always maintain control of your dog and keep a safe distance that doesn't allow interactions between your dog and pedestrians or other dogs.
  • Owners must clean up after their dogs in public areas.
  • Do not tether your dog. Tying or chaining a dog for longer than three hours is illegal.

Tips for All New Yorkers

Reduce the risk of dog bites by following these suggestions:

  • Do not threaten, scare or provoke a dog. Even if you are simply trying to play with a dog, it can lead to biting.
    • Leave a dog alone if it is eating, sleeping or caring for its puppies. Dogs naturally guard their puppies, toys, and food.
    • Do not reach over or through a fence to pet a dog.
    • Never poke, hit, pull or pinch a dog. This may cause pain or injury to the dog and cause the dog to bite.
    • Do not chase a dog or scream and run away. If you are threatened by a dog, stand still, and do not stare at the dog.
  • If a dog is alone:
    • Most bite victims report being bitten when passing a dog or entering its space. Avoid a dog you are not familiar with, or move slowly around it and let the dog come to you.
    • Speak quietly around a dog. Talking loudly or yelling may scare a dog.
  • Even if a dog is on a leash and the owner is present, try to maintain a safe distance from the dog.
    • Always ask the owner for permission before petting their dog. Allow the dog to smell the back of your hand and calmly pet the dog gently on the side of the neck or shoulder.
  • Take extra care with children, who may be at increased risk of being bitten. Most bite injuries are by a dog that is familiar to the victim. Teach children how and when to play with dogs and when to leave a dog alone.

Responding to Dog Bites

If you are bitten:

  • Get the dog owner's name, address and phone number. If the owner is not available or will not provide information, get information from anyone who may be able to identify the dog.
  • Wash the bite wound with soap and water.
  • Contact your health care provider for specific care instructions.
  • Report the bite to the NYC Health Department online or by calling 311. Information reported helps the Health Department determine if you might need a rabies shot and investigate the circumstances that led to the bite.
  • If a dog poses an immediate danger to you or others, call 911.

Additional Resources

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